Its just about time for another baseball season. After a long offseason its time for baseball again. Starting in the American League, lets to the AL east which might be one of the best divisions in baseball. The New York Yankees are retooled and in some ways deeper than last season. After having to put Michael Pineda in the DL which is all right because it keeps his innings down and lets him acclimate to New York as long as its just tendonitis. That move allowed them to get down to five staring pitchers without any major moves, if nothing else injury wise or trade wise happens in the next few weeks the real decisions will be made when Andy Pettitte is set to return and when Pineda comes back. The Yankees are deep at just about every position, which some nice players at the minor league level who can contribute if need be. One key for the Yankees this season will be how they rest there aging players like Jeter and Rodriguez in order to keep them healthy for 162 games. Guys like Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira look primed for good years. The Boston Red Sox have a new manager in Bobby Valentine who should bring some excitement to their games. They're converting Daniel Bard to a Starter and have been bitten by the injury bug already. The Sox should be okay if they can stay healthy. The Tampa Bay Rays have power, mostly from their system and there pitching should do well. The Toronto Blue Jays are young but might be ready to make a run. In the AL central its most likely going to be the Detroit Tigers and Prince Fiedler. In the AL west the Los Angles Angels of Anaheim have added to an already good pitching staff as well as Albert Pujols to their lineup. The Texas Rangers have re worked things and are ready for another run. In my Opinion the top teams are in the American League.
In the National League we have some more up and down teams. Lets first to the NL east, which like to AL is going to be a good division. The Philadelphia Phillies might struggle on offense, we don't know when Ryan Howard is coming back but they still have the pitching. The Miami Marlins have a new name, ballpark and manager, as well as some really good players which came through free agency or trade. The Washington Nationals and Steven Strasburg and going to be improved. The Atlanta Braves have to stay healthy and even then might take a step back. The New York Mets are going to hope to get good pitching and stay away from injuries. In NL central the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals still have the pitching but their offense has lost a piece in Albert Pujols. The Milwaukee Brewers have lost Prince Fiedler. The Cincinnati Reds have made some nice moves to improve their team. Out in the NL west I like the San Francisco Giants if they can stay healthy and guys like Melky Cabera have good years.
AL east NL east
NY Yankees (98 wins) Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays (Wild-Card) Miami Marlins (Wild-Card)
Toronto Blue Jays Washington Nationals
Boston Red Sox Atlanta Braves
Baltimore Orioles NY Mets (72-76 Wins)
AL central NL central
Detroit Tigers Cincinnati Reds
AL west NL west
Texas Rangers San Francisco Giants
LA Angels of Anaheim (Wild-Card) LA Dodgers (Wild-Card)
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