AL CENTRAL PREVIEW

5—MINNESOTA TWINS: No team lost more talent and cornerstone pieces in the offseason than the Twins. Their ace, Johan Santana, was dealt to the Mets; while gold glove CF Torii Hunter took the money and ran to Anaheim.

The pitching rotation was left in shambles by the departure of Santana and Carlos Silva. Scott Baker (9-9, 4.26 ERA) and Boof Bonser (8-12, 5.10) are the only regular starters left from 2007. Livan Hernandez (11-11, 4.93) will eat innings but hardly pick up the slack left from the Santana trade. The rotation could get a huge boost if 24-year-old Francisco Liriano can find success near what he had in 2006 (12-3, 2.16) before an injury ended his season and forced him to miss all of ’07. Liriano has video-game type stuff but he paid a price for a violent motion. The Twins are banking that he can become the next Johan Santana. Luckily, Minnesota still has a terrific bullpen anchored by Joe Nathan (37 saves, 1.88 ERA). Matt Guerrier (2.35 ERA) and Pat Neshek (2.94 ERA) will play vital roles in holding onto any leads the Twins grab early in the game.

The lineup still features talented hitters such as catcher Joe Mauer (.293 average) and 2006 MVP Justin Morneau (31 home runs, 111 RBI). The Twins took a gamble when they sent talented young pitcher Matt Garza to Tampa Bay in exchange for LF Delmon Young (.288—13—93). Young has the potential to be a special talent at the plate and ease the loss of Hunter. Other regulars such as Mike Lamb, Adam Everett, Brendan Harris and Carlos Gomez won’t produce much offensively.

Minnesota got hit hard by their small market status and it might take a few years for them to contend in the top-heavy AL Central.


4—KANSAS CITY ROYALS: For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Royals appear headed in the right direction. While they still lost 93 games last season, they provided a headache for most teams and could no longer be circled on the opposition’s schedule as “vacation.”

The pitching rotation still has problems at the back, but Gil Meche (9-13, 3.67) turned into a legit ace and should have won at least five more games than he did. Brian Bannister (12-9, 3.87) came out of nowhere to have a very solid season. After being rushed to the majors and dealing with some mental issues shortly after, Zack Grienke (7-7, 3.69) finally began to show his talent after the All-Star break in 2007.

Many of the talented young players that the organization has patiently waited for to develop started to make strides last season. 3B Alex Gordon finished with 15 HR’s and a .247 average after struggling to stay above .200 for the first half of his rookie campaign. DH Billy Butler (.292, 52 RBI in 92 games) and LF Mark Teahen showed promise as well. The lineup, sprinkled with a nice mix of veterans--Mark Grudzielanek, David DeJesus, Ross Gload and Jose Guillen—should produce far more runs than in year’s past.

Fans at Kaufman Stadium are still a long way from seeing the Royals compete for the division. There will still be plenty of games where the dancing waterfalls in the outfield are more entertaining than the team. But, things are starting to turn around and the team has quality young talent. The Royals still might only win 70 games, but moving up a spot in the toughest division in baseball is nothing to look down upon.


3—CHICAGO WHITE SOX: After winning 99 games in 2005 and 90 games in 2006, the Sox had a miserable 72-win season in 2007. General manager Ken Williams left key pieces intact, but did a substantial overhaul on the roster.

Stars in the middle of the lineup such as Jim Thome (.275—35—96), Paul Konerko (.251—31—90), Jermaine Dye (.254—28—78) and A.J. Pierzynski (.263) all had seasons well below their career averages. Williams believes that their drive to succeed will lead to substantial improvement. He also acquired high on-base percentage players such as Nick Swisher (.381 OBP, 22 HR, 78 RBI) and SS Orlando Cabrera (.301 average, .345 OBP) with the hope that more home runs will be hit with runners aboard. Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez has shined in spring training and drawn comparisons to Alfonso Soriano. Ramirez can play centerfield, shortstop or second base and be a sparkplug for the offense.

Behind ace Mark Buehrle (10-9, 3.63) and Javier Vazquez (15-8, 3.74 with 213 K’s) the rotation has major issues. John Danks and Gavin Floyd are unproven and inconsistent—at best. The key will be 36-year-old Jose Contreras. After a terrific 2005 and solid ’06, Contreras was atrocious in ’07, (10-17, 5.57). If he can’t rebound, three of every five games could be a disaster on the mound. Closer Bobby Jenks (40 saves, 2.77 ERA) has developed into one of the best closers in the game with a fastball in the high-90’s and a slurve that can be impossible to hit at times. The bullpen had problems getting the ball to Jenks in ’07, so Williams signed Scott Linebrink (3.55) and Octavio Dotel to lucrative deals. If flame-throwing Matt Thornton and former closer Mike MacDougal can bounce back, the bullpen could be outstanding.

There is no doubt the White Sox will be better then they were a year ago. The question is how much better? The Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers are two of the best teams in baseball and could each win over 100 games. A 30-game turn around might be a bit too much for the pale hose.


2—CLEVELAND INDIANS: One win away from the World Series and no significant departures have the Indians primed for another run at the pennant. Only one problem—they aren’t the best team in their own division.

CF Grady Sizemore (.277—24—78—33 stolen bases) continues to post terrific all-around numbers while Victor Martinez (.301—25—114) is the best hitting catcher in baseball. After struggling at the plate in 2007 (.266—24—100), expect a monster year from Travis Hafner. 1B Ryan Garko (.289, 21 HR’s) doesn’t have many holes in his swing, while 2B Asdrubal Cabrera and LF Franklin Gutierrez are exciting young players.

C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21) is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. In a contract year, his numbers should be even better as he will win the AL Cy Young award. Paired with Fausto Carmona (19-8, 3.06), the top-2 in Cleveland’s rotation are absolutely dominant. But, the Indians need veterans Jake Westbrook (6-9) and Cliff Lee (5-8) to find some of the success they one enjoyed earlier in their careers. Closer Joe Borowski (45 saves, 5.07 ERA) is as shaky as they come at the back of the bullpen and is a prime candidate to blow crucial games that could come back to haunt the tribe.

The Indians will win over 100 games and compete for the division until the end. They’ll fall just short, but make the playoffs as the wild card.


1—DETROIT TIGERS: The Tigers had the best offseason of any team in baseball, and the additions to their offense may make them the most dominant lineup EVER. No exaggeration, this team can score 1,200 runs in 2008. Not possible you say? Take a look:

1—CF Curtis Granderson: Hit .302 with 23 HR’s, 74 RBI and 26 stolen bases in only his second season. So talented, his numbers should only improve.
2—2B Placido Polanco: Hit .341 and drove in 67 runs, he is widely considered the best No. 2 hitter in baseball. Polanco has terrific bat control and sprays the ball to all fields.
3—DH Gary Sheffield: Belted 25 HR’s and had 75 RBI despite showing signs of age. He’s getting older, but his wrists remain lightning quick.
4—RF Magglio Ordonez: Posted MVP-caliber numbers by hitting .363 with 28 HR’s and 139 RBI. As long as he is healthy, there’s no reason he won’t come close to doing that again.
5—3B Miguel Cabrera: One of the most talented hitters in baseball, he hit .320 with 34 HR’s and 119 RBI. It’s extremely possible he wins the Triple Crown award.
6—1B Carlos Guillen: The switch hitter adds balance to the lineup and should reset the table after the bases are cleared by the heart of the order. Usually an afterthought, Guillen hit .296 with 21 HR’s and 102 RBI.
7—SS Edgar Renteria: Lost in the blockbuster deal to land Cabrera was the acquisition of Renteria. He only hit .332 and drove in 57 runs last season.
8—C Ivan Rodriguez: Oh yeah, that guy! The former AL MVP isn’t the hitter he used to be, but hitting in the 8th slot, who cares? He still hit .281 and had 63 RBI in ’07.
9—LF Jacque Jones: No player experiences hot and cold streaks like Jones. But, when your No. 9 hitter is a veteran that hit .285 with 66 RBI it’s the stamp on a loaded lineup.

With that being said, the Tigers may need every one of those 1,200 runs. After Cy Young contender Justin Verlander (18-6, 3.66) there isn’t a sure thing on the staff. Kenny Rogers is 41 years old and injuries limited him to 11 games last season. After going 9-1 with a 3.48 ERA in the first half of ’07, Jeremy Bonderman fell off the table in the second half to the tune of 2-8 with a 7.38 ERA. He has yet to put together a full season of quality pitching. Meanwhile, Dontrelle Willis (10-15, 5.17) is coming off the worst season of his career and had an awful spring. It doesn’t help that he must face tougher lineups in the AL. The bullpen is in shambles as setup men Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are both out with arm injuries. 40-year-old Todd Jones (38 saves, 4.26 ERA) isn’t a safe bet anymore, either.

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2008 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

NLDS: METS over DODGERS, CUBS over DIAMONDBACKS
ALDS: INDIANS over RED SOX, TIGERS over MARINERS

NLCS: METS over CUBS
ALCS: INDIANS over TIGERS

WORLD SERIES: INDIANS over METS

AL EAST PREVIEW

5—BALTIMORE ORIOLES: The O’s will give the A’s a run for worst team in baseball as full rebuilding mode has begun after trades that sent Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard packing. Another trade that could send 2B Brian Roberts out the door could take place any day, and 3B Melvin Mora has expressed displeasure and dropped hints that he’d like to be moved as well.

CF Adam Jones is the key to the rebuilding process after coming over from Seattle in the Bedard deal. Jones is regarded as a 5-tool player and could be very special down the road. Paired with RF Nick Markakis (.300 average, 23 home runs, 112 RBI’s), and it appears the Orioles at least have some direction. Remaining veterans such as 1B Kevin Millar, catcher Ramon Hernandez and DH Aubrey Huff will help teach the youngsters the ropes until they are dealt for prospects down the road.

Jeremy Guthrie (7-5, 3.70 ERA) takes over the ace spot Bedard had held, but is far from an ace on a team looking to compete. Highly touted youngsters Adam Loewen and Garrett Olson will get every chance to prove their worth, and it would be nice if Daniel Cabrera (9-18, 5.55) would ever come close to meeting his potential. Nothing is more worthless than a good bullpen on a bad team, which is exactly the case in Baltimore. 30-year-old George Sherrill was named the closer for the first time in his career. Former closers Chris Ray and Danys Baez surround him, along with setup men Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker.


4—TAMPA BAY RAYS: The “Devil” is no longer haunting the Rays as a young, talented and exciting team will take the field in Tampa. For the first time in franchise history, the Rays will finish over .500—lets say at 84-78.

LF Carl Crawford (.315, 50 stolen bases) and CF B.J. Upton (.300—24—82—22 stolen bases) will propel the lineup to score plenty of runs , while making sure that many balls fail to find the ground in the outfield. Scouts believe 3B Evan Longoria is a special player. Meanwhile 1B Carlos Pena (46 HR, 121 RBI) appears to have finally tapped the unlimited talent Oakland GM Billy Beane saw when he thought Pena could easily replace Jason Giambi. Pena is already the best power hitter in franchise history and is the key to the Rays finding more offensive success then in year’s past.

Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.48, 239 strikeouts) remains the ace, but he has help in the rotation for the first time. He also needs to decrease his pitch count and stop worrying about the strikeout. James Shields (12-8, 3.85) is the best young pitcher in baseball that nobody knows about. The acquisition of Matt Garza—from the Twins for Delmon Young—adds depth to the rotation. Andy Sonnanstine’s windup gives hitters headaches and he should improve on his 6-10 record with more experience. The bullpen still has question marks as Troy Percival was signed to close games after finding success with the Cardinals following a brief retirement in 2006. Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler are solid, yet inconsistent in the setup role, and the bullpen is missing a legitimate left-hander.


3—NEW YORK YANKEES: There’s a new acting owner (Hank Steinbrenner) and a new manager (Joe Girardi) in the Bronx. Yet, it continues to be the same story as it has been the last few seasons.

The Yanks have a great offense, with a former or current All-Star at nearly every position. 3B Alex Rodriguez, the 2007 AL MVP after posting a .314 average with 54 HR’s, 156 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 143 runs scored leads the way. Shortstop and team captain Derek Jeter continues to be one of the best pure hitters in baseball. Catcher Jorge Posada (.338—20—90) shows no signs of slowing down, and neither does RF Bobby Abreu, who still drove in 101 RBI and scored 123 runs despite only hitting 16 HR’s. Johnny Damon appears to be slowing down and will move to left field. But, talented youngsters such as Melky Cabrera and 2B Robinson Cano (.306—19—97) keep the lineup strong. No doubt about it, the “Bronx Bombers” will score plenty of runs.

However, not much was done to address the pitching staff. Chien-Ming Wang (19-7, 3.70) has developed into an ace as his sinker is the best in baseball. Andy Pettite (15-9, 4.05) and Mike Mussina (11-10, 5.15) are on their last legs and their numbers are inflated by winning slugfests. They can no longer be leaned on as heavily as in the past. 21-year-old Phil Hughes showed flashes of brilliance in ’07 and might be the key to the Yankees making the playoffs for the 14th straight season.

The bullpen will also be relied on quite a bit and closer Mariano Rivera began to show signs of age despite saving 30 games and finishing with a 3.15 ERA. Joba Chamberlain (0.38 ERA in 19 games) is phenomenal and will need to shoulder an even bigger workload in 2008. The bullpen lacks depth, as Kyle Farnsworth (4.80) is inconsistent and free agent acquisition LaTroy Hawkins couldn’t handle the pressure of Wrigley Field and surely won’t be able to deal with New York.

For the first time since 1994, the Yankees are sitting at home when the playoffs begin. In part because they aren’t as good as another team in their division and in part because of the quantity of great teams in the American League.


2—TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Offense hasn’t been the problem over the past few seasons north of the border. Pitching and defensive deficiency has kept the Jays from competing in the AL East. But that’s about to change.

Key moves in the offseason improved the defense, while adding character and leadership to a clubhouse lacking in both categories. LF Shannon Stewart, 3B Scott Rolen and SS David Eckstein all bring intangibles that will guide the Blue Jays to a better record. Anything they provide at the plate will be a bonus since the Blue Jays are already strong in that area.

It was clear that CF Vernon Wells (.245—16—80) put too much pressure on himself after signing a massive contract extension before the ’07 season. His numbers should return to near his career averages (.281—28—97). Meanwhile, RF Alex Rios (.297—24—85) has become a terrific young hitter. DH Frank Thomas (.277—26—95) is healthy and continues to hit. While he’s focused on the long ball each of the past two seasons to try reaching 500 for his career, he reunited with former hitting coach Walt Hriniak during the offseason. Hriniak helped Thomas win back-to-back MVP awards with the White Sox in the mid-90’s. Assuming he stays healthy, Thomas could post MVP-caliber numbers in 2008.

Roy Halladay (16-7, 3.71) is a legitimate Cy Young contender every season. A.J. Burnett still has nasty stuff but injuries have prevented him from reaching the 200-inning plateau since signing with Toronto in 2006. Youngsters Shaun Marcum (12-6) and Jesse Litsch got valuable experience last season and should only improve. Jeremy Accardo (30 saves) held down the fort after B.J. Ryan needed Tommy John surgery. Ryan is on the comeback trail, and upon his return will make the bullpen strong.


1—BOSTON RED SOX: The defending World Series champions may be better than last year after an infusion of young talent that provides an outstanding mix of youth and experience.

CF Jacoby Ellsbury showed off his talent and Michael Johnson-esque speed in the playoffs. He could realistically steal 75 bases in ’08. 3B Mike Lowell (.324—21—120) won’t put up the numbers he did last season. But, he won’t have to because LF Manny Ramirez (.296—20—88) will have a much better season with the possibility of a new contract in 2009. With a season under his belt in high-pressure Fenway Park, RF J.D. Drew will also hit better barring injury, of course. DH David Ortiz (.332—35—117) will once again post MVP-caliber numbers, while catcher Jason Varitek and 1B Kevin Youkilis provide consistent bats no matter where they hit in the lineup.

Josh Beckett (20-7, 3.27) always had the talent to win a Cy Young, and as long as he stays healthy there’s no reason to think he won’t post similar numbers. In limited action, Clay Buchholz showed why he could quickly become one of the best young pitchers in the game. With Curt Schilling likely lost for the season, Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12, 4.40) will need to improve, while Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield keep the team in games and let the offense pull it out.

Jonathan Papelbon (37 saves, 1.85 ERA, 84 strikeouts in 58.1 innings) has become one of the best closers in baseball. LHP Hideki Okajiima had a terrific rookie season, but once hitters get past his deceptive motion, his success might be short-lived like many Japanese relievers. Veteran Mike Timlin and young flamethrower Manny Delcarmen help solidify the bullpen ahead of Papelbon.

Until somebody knocks them off their throne, the BoSox are the team to beat out East.

2008 AL WEST PREVIEW

4—OAKLAND ATHLETICS: In typical Billy Beane fashion, a complete rebuilding phase is underway again in Oakland. Third baseman Eric Chavez remains and DH Jack Cust (26 home runs, 82 RBI) had a breakout year in 2007. The rest of the lineup is made up of youngsters (Travis Buck, Daric Barton, Chris Denorfia, Kurt Suzuki) who will be learning on the fly; or veterans (Emil Brown, Bobby Crosby, Mark Ellis) that will provide little offensively. The A’s won’t score many runs this season.

After trading Dan Haren, Joe Blanton (14-10, 3.95 ERA) becomes the new ace—that is, if he isn’t traded. Rumors have been swirling for months that teams such as the Dodgers and New York Yankees are interested in acquiring Blanton. Don’t be surprised if he is dealt by the trade deadline. It would be nice if Rich Harden could stay healthy for once—but that’s not a safe bet. The rotation has been left in such a bad state that key setup man Justin Duchscherer may be called upon to start for the first time since 2003, when he started a total of 3 times. An impressive spring by lefty Gio Gonzalez—acquired in the Nick Swisher trade—would be a huge bonus for the pitching staff.

Bottom line: The A’s are the worst team in baseball, but history says Beane’s team won’t stay like that for very long.


3—TEXAS RANGERS: It’s the same old story for the Rangers: Don’t mess with the Texas offense! Shortstop Michael Young (.315, 94 RBI) had a down year in 2007, but remains one of the best pure hitters in the game. His double play partner, 2B Ian Kinsler, hit .288 after the All-Star break and continues to look more comfortable at the plate. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade, has incredible talent. Combined with feel-good story Josh Hamilton (.292, 19 HR’s) and a healthy Hank Blalock, the Rangers lineup could provide nightmares for opposing pitchers.

However, plenty of teams are going to mess with the Texas pitchers. After leading the AL in ERA in 2006, Kevin Millwood (10-14, 5.16) experienced the trouble of pitching in Arlington in the sweltering heat of summer. Vicente Padilla and Brandon McCarthy (5-10) both battled injuries last season. Free agent signing Jason Jennings (2-9) might eat innings but won’t provide many victories. It’s quite possible that no pitcher in the starting rotation finishes with a winning record, thus making the bullpen relatively worthless.


2—LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM: Perennial MVP candidate Vladimir Guerrero (.324—27—125) finally has some help in the batting order in the form of CF Torii Hunter. It couldn’t come at a better time, as Guerrero is 32 years old and showed some signs of slowing down in ’07. Hunter (.287—28—107) had the best season of his career last year—just in time to land a hefty contract. Second baseman Howie Kendrick (.322 average in 88 games) appears to be a special player and provides youth to a lineup that relies on aging veterans such as Garret Anderson (.297—16—80 in 108 games), Chone Figgins (.330, 31 stolen bases) and Gary Matthews.

The pitching depth will be put to the test early as injuries have already hit 2007 Cy Young candidates John Lackey (19-9, 3.01) and Kelvim Escobar (18-7, 3.40). Offseason acquisition Jon Garland is key to the success of the 2008 Angels. He has won 46 games over the last three seasons, but only 10 in 2007. As a third or fourth starter, he’s great but if injuries force him higher in the rotation he could struggle. Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana round out the deepest rotation in the AL and one could be dealt for an extra bat during the season.

The bullpen is also an area of strength with Justin Speier (2.88 ERA) and Scot Shields (3.86 ERA) setting up All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez (40 saves, 2.81 ERA, 90 strikeouts in 67.1 innings).


1—SEATTLE MARINERS: While the Angels have the most depth in their rotation, the Mariners have more quality. No team in baseball got as many wins from its starters in ‘07 as the Mariners have in their current rotation. Quality pitching wins games and will win the AL West.

The acquisition of Erik Bedard (13-5, 3.16 ERA, 221 K’s) catapulted Seattle to legit contender status. Teamed with young phenom Felix Hernandez (14-7, 3.92 ERA), and the Mariners may have the best 1-2 punch in baseball. But the rest of the rotation is solid as well. Jarrod Washburn (10 wins), Carlos Silva (13 wins) and Miguel Batista (16-11) each have playoff experience, will keep the team in most of their starts and pitch deep into games.

It would be one thing if the Mariners didn’t have the bullpen to back up their starters. But, they might have the deepest bullpen in the league as well. J.J. Putz (40 saves, 1.38 ERA) has developed into one of the best closers in baseball. In front of him our quality relievers Cha Seung Baek, Brandon Morrow, Sean Green and Ryan Rowland-Smith.

Ichiro (.351, 238 hits, 37 stolen bases) leads a balanced offense and shows no signs of slowing down. Raul Ibanez (105 RBI) is as consistent a run producer as there is. Catcher Kenji Johjima will hit close to .300 again and 3B Adrian Beltre (26 HR, 99 RBI) finally began to earn some of his big contract. Yuniesky Betancourt continues to improve at the plate and is already one of the best fielding shortstops in the AL. If Richie Sexson can provide more than his .205 average and 21 HR’s from a season ago, the lineup could make life rather easy for the pitchers.

NL WEST PREVIEW

5—SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: The Giants are praying for the biggest case of addition by subtraction in the history of sports. The Barry Bonds era is over, leading to spring training full of happy faces and positive attitudes. There’s no longer a division in the locker room, but at the same time there’s no longer a consistent source of home runs.

Last season’s returning home run leader is Bengie Molina (19 HR). After failing to land a premium power bat in free agency, they settled on centerfielder Aaron Rowand, coming off the best season of his career (.309, 27 HR, 89 RBI). Rowand is the extreme opposite of Bonds when it comes to attitude, he also won’t strike fear into the heart of an opposing pitcher. Other than 1B Dan Ortmeier, the rest of the lineup is the oldest in the league as it features Dave Roberts, Randy Winn, Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel and Rich Aurilia. Expect the Giants to make a strong push for White Sox 3B Joe Crede before the season begins.

The Giants will play a load of close games because their rotation is strong. Only problem is that every team in the division boasts a strong rotation. Barry Zito (11-13, 4.53) had his second straight disappointing season and needs to be the Cy Young candidate many expected if the Giants hope to still be playing meaningful games in June. Matt Cain (7-16, 3.65) suffered more tough losses than anyone in baseball—a trend that should continue with their current offense. Tim Lincecum showed flashes of brilliance, and could be a future ace if he isn’t dealt for a bat. Meanwhile, Noah Lowry has arm problems that will sideline him for at least the first month of the season. The bullpen is young, but relatively irrelevant as there won’t be many leads to protect.


4—SAN DIEGO PADRES: One can only scratch their head when trying to figure out the offensive philosophy of the franchise. After realizing power hitters couldn’t put up good numbers in spacious PETCO Park, the goal was to bring in speed and gap hitters. However, the lineup seriously lacks speed.

They acquired Jim Edmonds from the Cardinals, but Edmonds (.252) won’t hit the gaps because he doesn’t hit much of anything these days. Brian Giles will hit the gaps, but should no longer be counted on to hit .300. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff had an atrocious start to his rookie season but opened eyes with a .317 average after the All-Star break. He’ll need to carry that over if the Padres hope to play more than 162 games. Adrian Gonzalez had a down year and still hit 30 HR’s and drove in 100 runs. However, his average dipped 22 points (.304 in 2006 to .282 in ’07) and that needs to get back up.

Jake Peavy (19-6, 2.54, 240 K’s) should have won the NL Cy Young in 2007. If Chris Young can put together a full season of dominance, they might be the best 1-2 punch in the league. However, his numbers fell off the table in the second half. After going 8-3 with a 2.00 ERA, he only managed a 1-5 mark with a 4.80 ERA in an injury-riddled second half. After the top two, the rest of the rotation is full of question marks. Greg Maddux will be 42 on April 14 and is simply a .500 pitcher at this point. Randy Wolf and Mark Prior have spent more time in the doctor’s office throughout their career than on the mound. If the Padres get even three wins from Prior, it would be shocking. Trevor Hoffman is the best closer ever—unless it’s a big game.


3—COLORADO ROCKIES: There is a distinct difference between being “very good” and being “very hot.” During their remarkable run to the World Series last season, the Rockies made many forget that they weren’t that good for much of the year. They simply got real hot at the best possible time. In 2008, they’re going to have to be good right out of the gate to win the NL’s best division.

The lineup remains the best in the division led by the player that should have been NL MVP in ’07—Matt Holliday (.340—36—137). Brad Hawpe, Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins provide pop throughout the rest of the lineup. The Rockies can’t afford for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to encounter a sophomore slump. He’ll need to come close to his numbers from last season when he hit .291 with 24 HR’s and 99 RBI. The departure of 2B Kaz Matsui didn’t gain much attention, but it could have a negative impact. He was brilliant last season in the all-important No. 2 spot in the lineup. He hit for power when called upon and also got on base, stole bases and set the table for the pop in the middle.

It’s very disappointing that management didn’t do more to strengthen the starting rotation after seeing the effect that pitching deep into October had on prior World Series teams such as the 2005 White Sox, and 2006 Cardinals and Tigers. Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook are solid, but not spectacular at the front of the rotation. Flamethrower Ubaldo Jimenez may be the key to the success of the 2008 Rockies. Former closer Brian Fuentes took his demotion well and became a terrific setup man to Manny Corpas. The addition of workhorse Luis Vizcaino makes the bullpen one of the best in the league.


2—LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Ever since Tommy Lasorda left the dugout, a winning attitude has been missing in L.A. While managers are only as good as their players, the hiring of Joe Torre was pure genius. He’ll bring that championship attitude back and guide the Dodgers to the postseason.

The Dodgers finally got the big bat they’d been lacking with the signing of Andruw Jones. While his average may hover around .250, 30-40 home runs will help offset that. Juan Pierre (196 hits, 64 stolen bases) and Rafael Furcal (25 stolen bases in an injury riddled 2007) form an elite pair of table setters at the top of the lineup. Russell Martin (.293—19--87) is the best hitting catcher in the league. The continued development of terrific young talents such as Matt Kemp and James Loney could make the lineup a pain for opposing pitchers, especially if veterans Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra can provide anything substantial.

Brad Penny has developed into a legitimate ace, but it will be impending free agent Derek Lowe (12-14, 3.88) that will have the big season. Nothing pushes a guy to perform at an outstanding level more than a big payday around the corner. Chad Billingsley (12-5, 3.31) provides depth to the rotation. Closer Takashi Saito (39 saves, 1.40 ERA) has made people forget about Eric Gagne real fast. If teams don’t have a lead on the Dodgers by the 6th inning, forget about it. Jonathan Broxton, Scott Proctor, Joe Beimel and a healthy Yhency Brazoban will slam the door shut until Saito enters.


1—ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: The D’Backs had an uncanny way of just finding ways to win games in 2007—and they did so down the stretch without All-Star 2B Orlando Hudson. A healthy Hudson and the continued development of their young stars make them the favorite to win the “Wild, Wild West.”

Arizona will count on centerfielder Chris Young to provide most of their pop. His 32 home runs during his rookie campaign were nice, but he needs to raise his .237 average and cut down on the 141 strikeouts from a year ago. A full season for phenom Justin Upton and 3B Mark Reynolds should help along with a healthy Chad Tracy. Don’t expect Eric Byrnes to come close to the all-around numbers (.286—21—83 with 50 stolen bases) he posted last season.

The offense just needs to be consistent—not outstanding—because the pitching staff is the best in the league from top to bottom. Reigning Cy Young Brandon Webb (18-10, 3.01) will be challenged for the award by key offseason acquisition Dan Haren (15-9, 3.07). Doug Davis (13-12) and Micah Owings will eat innings in the back of the rotation and give the team a chance to win most games they start. Of course, how can you forget about Randy Johnson? If he can provide anything, the rotation could have five pitchers reach double-digit wins. After trading closer Jose Valverde for setup man Chad Qualls, Brandon Lyon gets first crack in the closer role. He lacks dominant stuff, so expect Tony Pena to take over sometime around the All-Star break if not earlier.

NL EAST PREVIEW

5—WASHINGTON NATIONALS: General manager Jim Bowden has brought a host of former Reds along with the team to their new digs of National Park. On paper, Bowden has put together a formidable lineup led by former Reds players Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena and Felipe Lopez. Another ex-Red, Aaron Boone, was brought in during the offseason with the hope that he can provide a boost. Another ex-Red, Dmitri Young, hopes to improve on the career-best .320 average he posted in 2007. Along with Young, 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.266, 24 home runs, 91 RBI) is the only consistent offensive force.

Lastings Milledge was an intriguing pick-up and has star potential. Bowden hopes a change of scenery will benefit him. The rest of the lineup is composed of veterans with inconsistent histories such as Nick Johnson, Paul Lo Duca, Cristian Guzman and Ronnie Belliard. If they can catch lightning in a bottle, the offense could be allright.

However, the starting rotation is composed of average pitchers—at best. That explains why Tim Redding has a shot at making the rotation when the Nationals break camp. Ace Shawn Hill posted a nice 3.42 ERA in an injury-shortened season; with only 25 games started in his career he is too inexperienced to lead a rotation.


4—FLORIDA MARLINS: Rebuilding mode is back in full force in south Florida after the team traded away Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis—the last remaining pieces from the 2003 World Series team.

The supremely talented Hanley Ramirez ushers in the new era, and he might just be the most talented player in baseball. Don’t believe me? Last season, Ramirez hit .332 with 29 HR’s, 81 RBI, 51 stolen bases, 48 doubles and six triples. At age 24, Ramirez finished just one homer and two doubles away from joining an elite club of players to hit at least 30 HR’s, swipe 50 bags and hit 50 doubles in the same season. How elite? He would be the founding member.

Up-and-coming players such as Josh Willingham, Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Jeremy Hermida provide plenty of hope as their numbers improved from their rookie season. 20-year-old Cameron Maybin, the prized return from the Cabrera-Willis trade is considered a 5-tool player and could really shorten the transition years.

Scott Olsen (10-15, 5.81 ERA) has the stuff of an ace, but must show improved attitude to fulfill his maximum potential. Sergio Mitre also showed promising signs, posting a 2.85 ERA before the All-Star break. However, as he greatly surpassed his career-high innings pitched mark, his ERA jumped to 7.27 in the second half. Better conditioning and arm strength are a necessity. Another catch in the Cabrera-Willis deal, 6-foot-6-inch lefty Andrew Miller, has the potential to be the ace for years to come. Closer Kevin Gregg and relievers Justin Miller, Matt Lindstrom, Taylor Tankersley, Renyel Pinto and Lee Gardner each posted ERAs in the 3’s or lower.


3—ATLANTA BRAVES: A few weeks ago, Chipper Jones said he found it amusing that nobody was even giving them a shot to win the division. He has a good point. But, in order to do that, Jones, who turns 36 on April 24, will need to continue to approach 30 HR’s and 100 RBI. SS Yunel Escobar is very talented and will provide a great boost over a full season to a lineup that already includes Brian McCann and LF Matt Diaz (.338). Trade deadline 2007 acquisition Mark Teixeira has the ability to be a game-changer at the plate while Jeff Francoeur needs to keep improving on the .293 and 105 RBI he had in ’07.

John Smoltz (14-8, 3.11) and Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.33) are as good as it gets at the front of a rotation. While Tom Glavine’s homecoming is a feel-good story, it remains to be seen how much he’ll have left after turning 42 on May 25th. If he struggles, Chuck James, Mike Hampton or Jair Jurrjens needs to step up big time. The bullpen could be a huge problem as new closer Rafael Soriano only has 13 career saves.


2—PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Finally, the Phillies lived up to there potential and made the postseason in 2007. Or did they? An 89-73 record isn’t exactly earth shattering, and it took a collapse of epic proportions by the New York Mets just to reach the playoffs.

The lineup is anchored by reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins and MVP candidate Ryan Howard—the youngest player ever to reach 100 home runs. But, is the rest of the lineup all that good? LF Pat Burrell needs to find consistency with his swing. A drastic slump ala the .215 average and 11 homers he posted before the All-Star break in 2007 could spell disaster. Meanwhile, losing the attitude and consistent bat of Aaron Rowand could have a negative impact similar to what the Chicago White Sox experienced in 2006. Shane Victorino can help offset that if he continues to improve, but don’t expect much from 33-year-old Geoff Jenkins. New 3B Pedro Feliz should see a spike in power in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.

Cole Hamels (15-5, 3.39) gets some help at the top of the rotation as Brett Myers rejoins the rotation. But, the key will be the progress of 2nd year starter Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick shocked many by going 10-4 with a 3.87 ERA after being called up mid-season. Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton can’t be counted on to provide much at the back end. Terrible luck already struck the bullpen when newly acquired closer Brad Lidge caught his spike in the mound on his first pitch of spring training and required surgery on his right knee. Assuming he returns healthy, the bullpen is strong with Tom Gordon and Ryan Madson in the setup role.


1—NEW YORK METS: It was their division to lose in ’07—and they did just that. Well, it’s theirs to lose again in 2008, only this time they will provide Shea Stadium with a happy ending in its final season.

Any lineup with three legitimate MVP candidates in David Wright (.325—30—107 and 34 stolen bases for good measure), Jose Reyes (78 stolen bases) and Carlos Beltran (33 HR’s, 112 RBI and 24 stolen bases) must be considered a divisional favorite. If Carlos Delgado can rebound from the worst season of his career (he still hit 24 HR’s), this lineup is downright scary.

Omar Minaya made the best move of the offseason by acquiring Johan Santana. The Mets had a glaring weakness in their rotation and he addressed it in the best possible way, by landing the best pitcher in the game. Shifting to a league with weaker lineups and getting to face pitchers instead of designated hitters should be a huge boost. Don’t be surprised if Santana wins 25-30 games and strikes out over 300 hitters. John Maine (15-10, 3.91), Oliver Perez (15-10, 3.56) and Orlando Hernandez (9-5, 3.92) all slide down into more natural places in the rotation. But, the real beneficiary and the piece that can turn the Mets from good to great is Pedro Martinez. If he is healthy, he and Santana could be as dominant as Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling with the Diamondbacks circa 2001. A healthy Duaner Sanchez—who missed all of 2007—will go a long way towards turning the Achilles heel of last year’s squad into a positive piece this season.