American League Preview

AL East
1. Boston Red Sox (AL East Champs)
Last year finish: World Series Champions
Key additions: Bartolo Colon (SP), Sean Casey (IF), David Aardsma (RP),
Key Losses: Eric Gagne(RP), Matt Clement (SP)
Projected Rotation: Josh Beckett, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, John Lester, Curt Schilling (when injured Clay Buccholz/Bartolo Colon)
Projected Line-up: C-Jason Varitek, 1b-Kevin Youkilis, 2b-Dustin Pedroia, 3b-Mike Lowell, SS-Julio Lugo, LF-Manny Ramirez, CF-Jacoby Ellsbury, RF-J.D. Drew, DH-David Ortiz
Synopsis: The Red Sox return as the World Series champs and look to repeat again as the AL East champions. Although the champs did not improve much at all (although I think that Colon may end up to be a great signing), the team following them (the Yankees) did nothing to really improve at all. Some interesting storylines to watch with the Red Sox include health and the battle for centerfield. Ortiz and Ramirez are both getting older and if they get injured (as happened last year), they might take down the Red Sox with them. Mike Lowell, who had a career year last year, is not likely to hit the ball with so much authority. And who will be the starting centerfielder? Crisp has not lived up to expectations in Boston and Ellsbury seems to be the hot new thing in Boston. The bullpen will be one of Boston's strengths again, but the big factor will be Okie-Doke. Will he be dominant as last year or come back to earth. Francona is a great manager and will pull this team together and I expect a rebound year from J.D. Drew. Expect a tight race but the Sawx to win the division again.

2. New York Yankees (Wildcard)
Last year finish: AL Wildcard (Loss ALDS to Cleveland)
Key additions: LaTroy Hawkins (RP)
Key Losses: Luis Vizcaino (RP)
Projected Rotation: Chien-Mien Wang, Andy Pettite, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain (half-way through season), Mike Mussina/Ian Kennedy
Projected line-up: 1b-Jason "The Giambino" Giambi, 2b-Robbie "what do you know" Cano, 3b-Alex "a-rod" rodriguez, ss-Derek "Captain Clutch" Jeter, LF- Johnny "simply damonic" Damon, CF-Melky "milkman" Cabrera, LF-Bobby "sweet as candy" Abreu, DH- Hideki "Thrilla from Godzilla" Matsui
Synopsis: The Yankees will play a key factor in the American League once again, but this time, it will be as the role of the underdogs. Although the Sawx have not done enough to be the clear-cut favorites for the AL East, the Yankees have not done much to improve either. Adding LaTroy Hawkins is not the answer. The Yankees season is going to ride on the arms of the big three (Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain) with all of them being rookies, they will have innings caps which means the Yankees will be scraping for innings come the end of the season. Also, Yankees fan must expect that A-Rod and Posada will not mirror their season from last year. A big player will be the Giambino. If he stays healthy and can hit like he did two years ago, the Yankees will have an extra protection bat for A-Rod. This season will be an exciting one for the Yanks, and if the cards fall right, might end up as divison champs. But for now, plan on the wildcard.

3. Toronto Blue Jays
Last year finish: 3rd AL East
Key Losses: Troy Glaus (3B)
Key additions: Scott Rolen(3B), David Eckstein (SS), Shannon Stewart (LF), Rod Barajas (C)
Projected rotation: Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnet, Dustin McGowan, Shawn Marcum, Jesse Litsch
Projected line-up: 1b-Lyle Overbay, 2b-Aaron Hill, ss-David Eckstein, 3b-Scott rolen, lf-Shannon Steward, cf-vernon wells, rf-alex Rios, c-Greg Zaun, dh-Frank Thomas
Synopsis:If the Blue Jays did not play in the AL East, they could have a realistic shot of each year winning a divison. But unfortunately, the have to contend with the Yanks and Sawx. The Blue Jays strength this year appears to be their pitching, Dustin McGowan is turning into a legitmate stud. I personally like the moves the Jays did this year. Eckstein gives them a nice leadoff hitter who can make things hapen, and i think Rolen will rebound nicely this season and adds gold glove caliber to the defense. A big player will be Vernon Wells, who needs to rebound and get back to the player that the Blue Jays signed long-term prior to last season. Also, will B.J. Ryan return to the form he was before going on the D.L. If he becomes a dominant closer, the Blue Jays will be sitting pretty in the late innings. If evertying breaks right for this team, they may end up making the AL East a 3-way race for the division title.

4. Tampa Rays
Last year finish: 5th AL East
Key Losses: Brendan Harris (SS), Delmon Young (RF), Chris Snelling (LF), Brian Stokes (RP), Elijah Dukes (CF), Josh Wilson (SS)
Key additions: Jason Bartlett(SS), Matt Garza(SP), Troy Percival (RP), Cliff Floyd (DH), Willy Aybar (3B),
Projected rotation: Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson, Andy Sonnastine
Projected line-up: 1b-Carlos Pena, 2b-Akinori Iwanura, 3b-Evan Longoria, ss-Jason Bartless, LF-Carl Crawford, CF-B.J. Upton, RF-Rocco Baldelli, DH-Cliff Floyd
Snyopsis: The Rays have the potential to be a sleeper this year. The Rays have always been able to hit the ball well, but their pitching has held them back. This year, the pitching looks to be stronger with the addition of Matt Garza and Troy Percival to be the closer. The Rays should win atleast 75 games this year. A big question mark is the healthy of Rocco Baldelli. If he returns to the type of season he had two years ago, the Rays look much stronger, but he has been injury prone. Also, the development of Evan Longoria will be key. This kid is supposed to be the real deal and will have his chance this year. The Rays should be an exciting club this year.

5. Baltimore Orioles
Last year finish: 4th AL East
Key Losses: Erik Bedard (SP), Miguel Tejada (SS)
Key additions: Troy Patton (SP), Luke Scott (LF), Adam Jones (CF), George Sherill (RP), Matt Albers (SP),
Projected Rotation: Jeremy Gutherie, Adam Loewen, Daniel Cabrera, Troy Patten, Greg Olson
Projected lineup: 1b-Kevin Millar, 2b-Brian Roberts, ss-Luis Hernandez, 3b-Melvin Mora, lf-Luke Scott, CF-Adam Jones, RF-Nick Markakis, DH-Aubrey Huff
Synopsis: This team will be one of the worst in all of baseball. The pitching is suspect, the bullepn stinks and there is not enough production to get a certain amount of wins. The Orioles did the right things in trading Bedard and Tejada, I actually believe they got alot back for Tejada. They should trade Roberts now while they can and get good value. I understand what this team is doing in terms of trying to get back good players for their best, but they will stink for eyras to come.

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers
Last year finish: 2nd AL Central
Key additions: Jacque Jones (LF), Edgar Renteria (SS), Miguel Cabrera (3B), Dontrelle Willis (SP)
Key losses: Sean Casey (1B), Andrew Miller (SP), Cameron Maybin (LF), Mike Rabelo (C), Omar Infante (SS), Chad Durbin (SP)
Projected rotation: Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson
Projected line-up: C-Ivan Rodriguez, 1B-Carlos Guillen, 2B-Placido Polanco, SS-Edgar Renteria, 3B-Miguel Cabera, RF-Miguel Ordonez, CF-Curtis Granderson, LF-Jacque Jones, DH-Gary Sheffield
Snyopsis: The Tigers had the busiest off-season in baseball by picking up slugger Miguel Caberera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins along with Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones. On paper, this lineup is the best in baseball. There is no easy out from top to bootm and imagine how scary a Ordonez-Cabrera-Sheffield combination is. The only question about this team is the pitching, but with this line-up, you can give up four runs a game and have a good chance of winning every game. The Tigers are going to be as solid a team as any in baseball.

2. Cleveland Indians
Last year finish: AL Central Champs, Lost ALCS Red Sox
Key additions:Masahide Kobayashi (RP), Jamey Carroll (2B)
Key losses: Kenny Lofton (RF)
Projected rotation: C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Paul Byrd, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee
Projected line-up: C-Victor Martinez, 1b-Ryan Garko, 2b-Asdrubal Cabrera, 3b-Casey Blake, ss-Johnny Peralta, lf-David Dellucci, cf-Grady Sizemore, rf-Franklin Giutterez, dh-Travis Hafner
Synopsis: The Indians return pretty much the same team from last year's squad, that fell one game short of the World Series. So why are they not the favorites for the division? Simple. The Tigers improved drastically while the Indians did not. The Indians are a soild squad no doubt, but do have some vulnerabilities. Will C.C. Sabathia pitch like a cy young in his contract year? Will Fausto Carmona be solid or come back to earth? Will the Indians get enough production from Blake, Garko and Dellucci? The Indians will be one of the better teams in the American League, but don't have enough to pull it off.

3. Chicago White Sox
Last year finish: 4th AL Central
Key additions: Orlando Cabrera (SS), Carlos Quentin (LF), Nick Swisher (CF), Octavio Dotel (RP), Scott Linebrink (RP)
Key Losses: John Garland (SP), Gio Gonzalez (SP), Ryan Sweeney (OF), Darin Estard (CF)
Projected rotation: Mark Buherle, Javier Vazquez, Jose Contreras, John Danks, Gavin Floyd
Projected line-up: C-A.J. Piercynski, 1b-Paul Konerko, 2b-Alexis Ramirez, ss-Orlando Caberera, 3b-Joe Crede, LF-Carlos Quentin, CF-Nick Swisher, RF-Jermaine Dye, DH-Jim Thome
Synyopsis: The White Sox made some nice moves in the off-season and just like the Blue Jays might be able to make a run if everything works out. The trade for Nick Swisher was a good one as Swisher brings some good offense and a high base percentage to the windy city. Orlando Cabrera will provide a nice presence at the top of the line-up. The emergence of Cuban defect Alexis Ramirez should be interesting. The suspect part of this team is of course the pitching. Behing Buherle and Vaquez, there is alot of question marks with Danks and co. The bullpen should be improved as well with the addition of Dotel and Linebrink, allthough there is still the possibilty for failure with those two as they did not have the best of seasons last year. The White Sox will not be as good as they were three years ago, but should be a a quality team.

4. Kansas City Royals
Last year finish: 5th AL Central
Key additons: Miguel Olivo (C), Jose Guillen (RF), Ron Mahay (RP), Brett Tomko (SP), Yashuko Yabuta (RP)
Key losses: Mike Sweeney (DH), Odalis Perez (SP), David Riske (RP), Emil Brown (CF)
Projected rotation: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zach Greinke, Kyle Davids, Brett Tomko
Projected line-up: C-John Buck, 1b-Ross Gload, 2b-Mark Grudzalniek, ss-Tony Pena', 3b-Alex Gordon, Lf-Mark Teahan, Cf-David DeJesus, RF-Jose Guillen, DH-Billy Butler
Synopsis: I know this gets said every year, but the Royals actually have a chance to be a decent team this year. The team only upgraded by adding Guillen (all though he did do steroids) and the pitching should be better than last year. Brian Bannister had an unheralded season and should continue to improve at his age. The bullpen appears to be stronger with the addition of Ron Mahay and Joaquim Soria should develop into a legitmate contender. The Royals will not be great next year, but will surprise some teams.

5. Minnesota Twins
Last year finish: 3rd AL Central
Key additions: Delmon Young (RF), Craig Monroe (RF), Carlos Gomez (CF), Mike Lamb (3B), Brendan Harris (SS), Livan Hernandez (SP), Adam Everett (SS), Kevin Mulvey (SP)
Key losses: Johan Santana (SP), Tori Hunter (CF), Matt Garza (SP), Jason Bartlett (SS), Carlos Silva (SP)
Projected rotation: Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, Livan Henandez, Fransisco Liriano, Kevin Slowey
Projected line-up: C-Joe Mauer, 1b-Justin Morneau, 2b-Brendan Harris, ss-Adam Everett, 3b-Mike Lamb, rf-Delmon Young, cf-carlos Gomez, rf-Michael Cuddeyer
Synopsis: Let me start by saying the Twins are not your typical last place team but someone has to this year and I think the Twins will be that team. The trading away of Johan Santana may go down as one of the worst trades of all-time as they got back no great prospects in return. But anyway, the Twins rotation is weak outside of Liriano, who is still a question mark returnign from Tommy John. When Scott Baker is projectd as your top starter you know you have problems. As has always been the case with the Twins, the bullpen will be the strong point with Nathan, Neshek, Rincon, etc. But there might not be many leads to protect as this offense is weak. There is limited run productin in the infield and center field. The Twins are going to have to rebuild.

AL West
1. Seattle Mariners
Last year finish: 2nd AL West
Key additions: Erik Bedard (SP), Brad Wilkerson (RF), Carlos Silva (SP),
Key Losses: Adam Jones (RF), George Sherill (RP), Jose Guillen(RF), Ben Broussard (1b)
Projected Rotation: Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista, Jarrod Washburn
Projected Line-up: C-Kenji Johjima, 1b-Richie Sexson, 2b-Jose Lopez, 3b-Adrian Beltre, ss-Yuniesky Betancourt, LF-Raul Ibanez, CF-Ichiro Suzuki, RF-Brad Wilkerson, DH-Jose Vidro
Synopsis: After years of turmoil and looking up to the Angels, the Mariners finally looked poised to top the Angels behind a solid pitching staff. Adding Bedard gives the Mariners the top 1-2 punch with Felix Hernandez in the league. Carlos Silva will be an innings eater and when Miguel Batista, who won 16 games last year, is your fifth starter your sitting pretty. The Mariners will have some question marks, though, including whether Richie Sexson can hit like he did two years ago, instead of his awful .205 ba last year. Barring injuries, this team looks poised for a run.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Last year finish: AL West Champs, Lost ALDS Red Sox
Key additions: John Garland (SP), Torii Hunter (CF)
Key Losses: Orlando Cabrera (SS)
Projected Rotation: John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, John Garland, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders
Projected line-up: C-Mike Napoli, 1b-Casey Kotchman, 2b-Howie Kendrick, ss-Erik Aybar, 3b-Chone Figgins, LF-Garrett Anderson, CF-Torri Hunter, RF-Vladimir Guerrerro
DH-Gary Matthews Jr.
Synopsis: While the Mariners made moves to bolster its squad, it seemed as if the Angels got worse. Throw into the mix that pitchers Lackey and Escobar are injured to start the season, the Angels will have to battle to win the division. The offense took a hit by losing Orlando Cabera, but Torii Hunter should help. The pitching should be strong as always. Make no mistake, the Angels will be strong, but are going to look up at the Mariners.

3. Texas Rangers
Last year finish: 4th AL West
Key additions: Ben Broussard (1B), Frank Catalnatto (1B), Josh Hamilton (CF, Eddie Guardado (RP, Milton Bradley (RF, Jason Jennings (SP),
Key losses: Sammy Sosa (DH), Edinson Volquez (SP)
Projected rotation:Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Jason Jennings, Brandon McCarthy, Kason Gabbard
Projected line-up: C-Gerald Laird, 1b-Ben broussard, 2b-Ian Kinsler, SS-Michael Young, 3b-Hank Blalock, LF-Marlon Byrd, CF-Josh Hamilton, RF-Milton Bradley, DH-Frank Catalnotto
Synopsis: The Rangers will most likely finish third again in the AL West, but have a comeptitive team to field this season. The trade for Josh Hamilton might go down as one of the best trades off this off-season, as he is projected to provide a quality bat in that line-up. The Rangers will be able to hit no problem, but the rotation is a little shaky. Kevin Millwood needs to rebound from a sup-bar year and you never know what you are going to get with Vincente Padilla and Jason Jennings. Although they won't be awful, they will not ge good either.

4. Oakland Athletics
Last year finish: 3rd AL West
Key additions: Carlos Gonzalez (RF), Gio Gonzalez (SP), Ryan Sweeney (LF), Emil Brown (CF)
Key losses: Marco Scutaro (2B), Dan Haren (SP), Nick Swisher (CF), Mark Kotsay (CF)
Projected rotation: Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Chad Guadin, Justin Durescher, Gio Gonzalez
Projected line-up: C-Kurt Suzuki, 1b-Daric Barton, 2b-Mark Ellis, ss-Bobby Crosby, 3b-Eric Chavez, LF-Emil Brown, CF-Chris Denorfia, RF-Travis Buck, DH-Jack Cust
Synopsis: Billy Beane mortgaged the future for this team, sending away some of its best players in Swisher and Haren to get a handful of great prospects in return. The A's will stink this year because of it. The A's dont have much power in the line-up and dont seem to have great run production. The back end of their rotation is also shaky. Rich Harden, though, could be a candidate for comeback player of the year if he continues to throw like he did in the first game against the Red Sox.


AL Predictions:
MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
AL Comeback player of the year: Rich Harden, Athletics
Rookie of the year: Joba Chamberlain, Yankees

Playoffs
Tigers def. Yankees
Red Sox def. Mariners

Tigers def. Red Sox