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By Anthony Stalter (astalter@bullz-eye.com)

Artwork by Brian Smith, © 2008 Bullz-Eye.com

03/26/2008

In the wake of the Mitchell Report, the Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee soap opera, and the continuing Barry Bonds saga, the 2008 baseball season got off to a rough start before spring training even opened. In fact, America's Pastime has taken quite a beating over the years with the league swimming in scandal, but Opening Day always has a way of putting focus back onto the game itself.

When we left off last year, the Boston Red Sox were celebrating their second World Series title in four years. With a stacked lineup and a solid rotation, there little doubt that they'll once again contend for a championship. Of course, Boston will face stiff competition from their Bronx Bomber rivals, but perhaps their biggest threats to a title defense reside in the AL Central. The Tigers added All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera and now arguably have the best lineup in the league. The young Indians, meanwhile, gained vast postseason experience last year and are built to win now. The Angels have major injury concerns, but should not be counted out either.

In the National League, the Mets hope to move past last year's monumental collapse with the addition of former Twins ace Johan Santana. They’ll do battle with the Phillies and Braves in the NL East, and the Cubs look ready to take the next step in the NL Central. Arizona appears to be the front-runner in the NL West, but don’t count out the Dodgers and new manager Joe Torre. The Brew Crew are stacked with explosive young talent and should compete for the NL Wild Card this year, if not the NL Central.

Below is our 2008 Major League Baseball Preview. You’ll find predictions and a season outlook for all 30 teams, as well as a player from each team to keep an eye on and a potential question mark that could keep each club from contending. The teams are placed in one of five categories: World Series Contenders; In the Hunt (potential playoff teams); Heading in the Right Direction (teams that may not compete, but are improving); Spinning Their Wheels (teams that won’t change much from 2007); and Heading in the Wrong Direction (teams that will struggle to sniff .500). So, for now, let's all forget about Mitchell, McNamee and PED's, because baseball is back.

Offseason Movement: Boston’s biggest move was not losing Mike Lowell to free agency (and more specifically, the Yankees, who were heavily pursing the third baseman). He’s coming off a career-best 120-RBI season and once again will hit comfortably behind David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the Red Sox’s stacked lineup. Keep Your Eye On: Jacoby Ellsbury, CF It might be a bit premature to say Ellsbury is due for a breakout season, but he’s got intriguing potential. Combining the regular and postseason last year, he batted .364 in only 132 at-bats. He has a ton of speed, and hitting at the top of the order should provide plenty of stolen base and run-scoring opportunities. The Big Question: How will the Japan trip affect the rest of the season for the defending champs? To play roughly six hours of regular season baseball, Boston will spend nearly 34 hours in a plane when they travel to Japan to kick off the regular season. They’re too good to go into the tank, but it’s never easy for a team to transition after an overseas trip. It’ll be interesting to see if the trip leads to a slow start for the Sox, because obviously there will be some adjusting once they get back to the States. Outlook: Stocked, locked and ready to rock – Boston has all the pieces to defend their World Series title. They have pitching (assuming Josh Beckett fully recovers from the back spasms he experienced in spring training), power and, most importantly, depth. Behind everyday studs Ortiz, Ramirez, Lowell, OF J.D. Drew, 1B Kevin Youkilis and C Jason Varitek, Coco Crisp is a solid fourth outfielder and Alex Cora is the perfect utility man. The BoSox lineup and rotation offer a nice blend of youth and experience, with youngsters Ellsbury, 2B Dustin Pedroia, and RHPs Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz ready to contribute in major roles. Barring major injuries or a complete meltdown, the Red Sox should win the AL East and make another deep postseason run.
Offseason Movement: The Tigers arguably had the best offseason of any team in the game, hauling in stud 3B Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis in a trade with the Marlins. Detroit also acquired SS Edgar Renteria in a deal with the Braves, and traded for former Cubs OF Jacque Jones. In all of their wheeling and dealing, the Tigers lost RHPs Chad Durbin and Andrew Miller, C Mike Rabelo and top OF prospect Cameron Maybin. Keep Your Eye On: Curtis Granderson, OF Wow, we’re really going out on a limb telling you to keep an eye on a guy who became only the third player in baseball history to have at least 20 homers, 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases in a season. The bottom line is that he deserves the attention. Granderson is a star in the making and manager Jim Leyland recently said that his centerfield “has it all.” The Big Question: Do they have enough help in the bullpen? Perhaps the biggest thing that kept the Tigers from reaching their full potential last year was their bullpen. With flamethrower Joel Zumaya out for at least half the year, the bullpen might once again be Detroit’s downfall. Closer Todd Jones is erratic, but gets the job done. The real question will be if Fernando Rodney, Jason Grilli and Zach Miner can step up so that the Tigers don’t waste such a potent offense. Outlook: This team has one scary lineup. Granderson offers a ton of speed and versatility at the top of the order, second baseman Placido Polanco is always a tough out and behind him is a three-headed juggernaut consisting of Cabrera, DH Gary Sheffield (when healthy) and OF Magglio Ordonez. Solid role players like Renteria, 1B Carlos Guillen, and C Pudge Rodriguez complete one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. However, the bullpen will determine how far this team goes. If LHP Kenny Rogers is healthy and Willis can get his career back on track, the rotation is as solid as they come. But the stacked lineup and above-average rotation won’t matter if Jones, Rodney and the rest of the pen blow opportunities for Ws late in games.	Offseason Movement: The Mets landed one of the most prized pieces on the market, trading for former Twins ace Johan Santana. They also added OF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider in a deal that sent OF Lastings Milledge to the Nationals. Keep Your Eye On: Pedro Martinez, SP While he might not win 15 games this season or throw 90-plus MPH anymore, a healthy Martinez will give the Mets a big boost. With the addition of Santana, Martinez doesn’t have the pressure of performing as the club’s ace. If he can stay healthy, Martinez is the type of fiery competitor that the Mets lacked in their late-season collapse last year. The Big Question: Will age and injuries slow them down? New York was already snake bitten this spring when OF Moises Alou went down with a hernia injury. Alou, Martinez, 1B Carlos Delgado and RHP Orlando Hernandez all have injury or age concerns, and if any of them were to miss significant time, the Mets could slide. Outlook: The addition of Santana made the Mets instant World Series contenders and should help them forget about last year's debacle. They had a decent rotation before, but one that was full of question marks. But adding Santana to a rotation that already boasts two 15-game winners in RHP John Maine and LHP Oliver Perez made the Mets a more complete team. The lineup is solid as well, with SS Jose Reyes, 3B David Wright and OF Carlos Beltran leading the charge. It could potentially be even more dangerous if Delgado can bounce back from a poor ’07 season and Church can add power to the bottom of the order. Age and injury concerns aside, there are other things that could potentially hold this team back. Skipper Willie Randolph was heavily criticized last year for the way his team folded in the final month of the season. Randolph has already stated that he’s not changing his calm, low key style, so that means this team is going to have to show the mental mettle to make a run in the postseason. Adding Santana is a great first step.
Offseason Movement: The Tribe didn’t make many moves outside of trading for utility infielder Jamey Carroll, previously of Colorado. The team also added experienced reliever Masahide Kobayashi to their pen, but he must make the transition from Japan. Keep Your Eye On: Franklin Gutierrez, RF The 25-year-old Gutierrez is having a solid spring and he’s all but locked up the starting right field position. He hit 13 dingers in 271 at-bats last year, including nine in 204 ABs after the All-Star break. He’s got plenty of power, but he must show more patience at the plate and learn to consistently hit the breaking ball. The Big Question: Is RHP Fausto Carmona the real deal? In 2006, Carmona finished with a 1-10 record while mainly pitching from the bullpen and making the occasional spot start. Last year, he had a breakout season, winning 19 games while posting a 3.06 ERA. He looks like a star on the rise and if he is, he’s quite the complement to ace C.C. Sabathia. If Carmona can post numbers similar to last year, Cleveland is going to be extremely tough to beat in the AL. Outlook: After making a run to the ALCS last year, the Tribe is now confident that they can win, which makes them a dangerous team. The rotation is very good at the top with Sabathia and Caroma, but also steady with RHP Jake Westbrook and RHP Paul Byrd as the No. 3 and No. 4 starters. The lineup is solid and brings a lot to the table. Centerfielder Grady Sizemore is a complete player, while DH Travis Hafner and C Victor Martinez comprise one of the top 3-4 combinations in the league. Cleveland is ready for another run, but the competition is stiff. They’ll have to go head to head with a stacked Detroit team, not to mention the Red Sox, Angels and possibly the Yankees again in the postseason. This team is built to win – now it’s all about taking it to the next level and consistently competing year in and year out.	Offseason Movement: After getting bounced from the playoffs in the first round last year, the Angels needed another bat and a veteran for the rotation. They doled out big money to former Twins outfielder Torii Hunter and traded shortstop Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for RHP Jon Garland. Keep Your Eye On: Nick Adenhart, RHP Under normal circumstances, Adenhart probably wouldn’t see the big leagues until after the All-Star break, if at all in 2008. But with ace John Lackey expected to miss at least the first month due to a strained right triceps, Adenhart might get his opportunity to shine. He’s one of the AL’s top pitching prospects, although to date, he’s had a rough spring and might lose out to RHP Dustin Moseley for the opportunity to join the rotation while Lackey is out. The Big Question: Will injuries sink the rotation? Heading into spring training, many considered the Angels a lock to win the AL West. But injuries will sideline Lackey and RHP Kelvim Escobar for the start of the season, and now the Angels have to rely on Garland and RHP Jered Weaver to pick up the slack. If Lackey and Escobar are slow to recover, will the Halos’ starting rotation become a weakness? Outlook: When Lackey and Escobar are healthy, the Angels boast one of the best starting rotations in the league. Garland gives them a solid No. 3 starter and Weaver is at least steady as a No. 4. But Lackey and Escobar aren’t healthy, which could lead to some concerns at the start of the season. The offense should benefit from the addition of Hunter, and maybe OF Gary Matthews Jr. will have a bounce-back year hitting deeper in the order. Designated hitter Garret Anderson and OF Vladimir Guerrero still make a potent 3-4 combination, although age is starting to take its toll on both players. The bottom line is that injuries to the rotation are going to be what determines how far the Angels go in ’08, because the sky’s the limit when everyone’s healthy.

Offseason Movement: By adding closer Brad Lidge in a trade with Houston, Philly can move RHP Brett Myers back to the starting rotation. The Phils also signed free agent OF Geoff Jenkins, RHP Chad Durbin and OF So Taguchi. Perhaps the most significant loss was OF Aaron Rowand, who was a fan favorite and a popular player in the clubhouse. The team also declined to offer arbitration to RHP Freddy Garcia. Keep Your Eye On: Brad Lidge, RHP Lidge has never had issues with his stuff – it’s always been mental. With that in mind, it’s probably not a great idea to throw him to the wolves (i.e. the fans) in Philly, but a change of scenery might do him a bit of good. He’s got the talent, now he just has to prove that he has the mental makeup to be the rock of the bullpen. The Big Question: Does this team have enough starting pitching to compete with the Mets? Will Myers have durability issues after being the primary closer last year? Will LHP Jamie Moyer bounce back from his 5.78 ERA after the All-Star break last year? Will RHP Adam Eaton’s shoulder give him troubles again? If either ace Cole Hamels or RHP Kyle Kendrick have setbacks, this rotation could flounder. Outlook: Leadoff hitter and shortstop Jimmy Rollins is the only player with at least 200 hits, 15 triples, 25 dingers and 25 stolen bases in one season. Outfielder Shane Victorino can also steal bases, while 2B Chase Utley led all major league second basemen with 103 RBI. Throw in slugger 1B Ryan Howard and OF Pat Burrell (who hit .295 and knocked in 60 RBI in the second half last year) and the top of Philly’s lineup can compete with anyone in the NL. The bottom half of the order doesn’t pose much of a threat, but it’s effective. The pitching staff is going to make or break this team. Myers needs to adjust to being a starter again, Hamels and Kendrick need to keep developing, and Lidge needs to take advantage of a fresh start (once he's activated from the DL). This team is good on paper, but only time will tell if they’re just an above-average squad or true World Series contenders.

Offseason Movement: The Cubs’ biggest acquisition was Japanese OF Kosuke Fukudome. Among the team’s losses was RHP Mark Prior (Padres), the organization’s one-time top prospect. They also sent OF Jacque Jones to Detroit in a deal that netted RHP Jose Ascanio from the Braves. Keep Your Eye On: Felix Pie, CF Pie may not make a huge impact at the plate this year, but his presence will be felt on defense. He has outstanding speed, displays solid arm strength and has also worked hard at getting better jumps on the ball. He’s got great bat speed but, like many young hitters, he has trouble with offspeed pitches. The Big Question: Will Kerry Wood be effective as the closer? Can he last? Wood won the Cubs' closer job in late March, but the former ace has always had trouble staying healthy. He's always had the stuff to close and can still reach the mid-90s with his fastball, but given his health concerns, can he be counted on for an entire season? If Wood is ineffective or suffers another injury, the Cubs could turn to vet RHP Bob Howry, although RHP Carlos Marmol is viewed as the team’s closer of the future. He’s a power pitcher with an electric fastball and hard breaking ball, but he sometimes struggles to throw strikes, which is clearly a problem in the ninth inning. Outlook: The Cubs are the definite favorite to win a weak NL Central again this year, but how far can they go? The starting rotation is very good, with RHP Carlos Zambrano again leading a staff that also boasts trusty veteran Ted Lilly, as well as developing youngster Rich Hill. The top of the lineup is solid, with OF Alfonso Soriano, 1B Derrek Lee and 3B Aramis Ramirez providing plenty of offensive firepower. The bottom of the order is a bit of a concern, however, and the bullpen could be in flux. This team would benefit from adding one more reliable arm to the rotation and a little more pop at the bottom of the lineup, but they will no doubt compete with the NL’s best. They also have one of the best managers in the game in Lou Piniella.
Offseason Movement: Usually one of the major players in free agency, the Yankees were quiet this offseason. Perhaps the biggest addition, and subsequently their biggest loss, was when they decided not to bring back skipper Joe Torre (who went to the Dodgers) and appointed former catcher Joe Girardi as their next manager. Keep Your Eye On: Joba Chamberlain, RHP Chamberlain is expected to start the season in the bullpen. With LHP Andy Pettitte’s injury concerns and the aging decline of RHP Mike Mussiana, Joba could get an opportunity to join the rotation at some point during the season. Chamberlain has a fantastic fastball/slider mix and has worked on developing a nasty curve as well. Along with fellow youngster Phil Hughes, Chamberlain looks like the future in the Yankees’ rotation. The Big Question: Is there enough pitching? As previously noted, Pettitte has battled a sore elbow much of spring training; given his age he might wear down throughout the season. Mussina lost his starting role in the rotation, regained it, but was passed over during the postseason last year, so he’s no longer as trustworthy as he used to be. Hughes is an excellent talent, but he’s also still raw. The only sure thing is RHP Chien-Ming Wang. Outlook: Pitching, pitching, pitching – the Bombers will only go as far as their pitching staff takes them. Obviously they’re going to score tons of runs with their All-Star lineup, but they have major question marks in their rotation and especially their pen. Mariano Rivera’s 3.15 ERA was his highest since his rookie year of 1995, and RHP LaTroy Hawkins is erratic at best. The development of Chamberlain and Hughes will make the difference in how far this team goes. One thing to note, however, is the fire Girardi has brought to the clubhouse. The Yanks appear to be buying into his “us against the world” mentality and it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out on the diamond.	Offseason Movement: The Brew Crew added RHP Eric Gagne to their bullpen and also traded for RHPs Salomon Torres (Pirates) and Guillermo Mota (Mets). The team declined the option on OF Geoff Jenkins and lost C Johnny Estrada in the swap for Mota. Keep Your Eye On: Corey Hart, OF Fellow teammates Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and J.J. Hardy received more attention for their production last year, but Hart might have been the biggest Brewer surprise of them all. He came just short of joining the 25-25 club in his first full season and only recorded 505 at-bats. Given more playing time, Hart could bust out this year. The Big Question: Are the young Brewers ready to take the next step? Despite leading the NL Central for most of the year, Milwaukee fell two games behind Chicago for the division lead late in the season and missed the postseason. Can this talented-but-young team stay focused all year? Their lineup is scary and their rotation is very good, but a veteran team like the Cubs is going to be hard to top for an entire season. Outlook: To essentially answer the “Big Question,” yes, this team is ready to take the next step. Their lineup is excellent, led by Braun and new vegetarian Fielder, but Hardy needs to prove the power he showed in 2007 wasn’t a fluke, and Rickie Weeks has to overcome wrist problems that slowed him last year. But assuming Hardy, Braun, Fielder and Hart will be at least as good as they were last year should only mean big things on the horizon for Milwaukee. The rotation is solid too, although it’s the same thing every year with RHP Ben Sheets – he has to stay healthy. Youngsters Yovani Gallardo and Carlos Villanueva look very promising, and RHP Jeff Suppan is steady as the No. 3. If Gagne can rekindle the magic he had last year in Texas before being dealt to Boston, he’s obviously going to be a huge boost to the pen. The Brewers should give the Cubs a run for their money in the NL Central.
Offseason Movement: Arizona made several trades over the offseason, but none was bigger than acquiring RHP Dan Haren from the A’s. They also hauled in more pitching help by trading for RHPs Billy Buckner (Royals), Chad Qualls (Astros) and Juan Guiterrez (Astros). In their wheeling and dealing, the D-Backs lost IF Alberto Castillo (Royals), OF Carlos Gonzalez (A’s), RHP Jose Valverde (Astros) and OF Carlos Quentin (White Sox). Keep Your Eye On: Chris Young, CF The 23-year-old Young has the D-Backs excited about his power/speed combination. He’s a five-tool prospect with tremendous upside and might be primed for a breakout season. The one area of his game that he’ll need to improve, however, is hitting the breaking ball. He’s a pure fastball hitter, but in order to become a complete player, he’ll need to stay disciplined against off-speed pitches. The Big Question: Is Randy Johnson healthy again? If the Big Unit’s back can hold up for an entire season, look out. Along with Haren and RHP Brandon Webb, a healthy Johnson would give ‘Zona the best 1-2-3 punch in the NL. The problem is he’s coming off his second back surgery in as many years and might not be ready to pitch until mid-April. Outlook: Don’t think the D-Backs peaked last year, because this team is young and built to win. Haren makes them an instant favorite to win the NL West again, and Webb should match the 18 wins he earned last year. The bullpen should be a strength too, especially if RHP Tony Pena emerges as the closer like the team expects. The lineup is stacked as well, with the speedy Young leading off, followed by improving SS Orlando Hudson, 1B Conor Jackson and the do-it-all LF Eric Byrnes. Third baseman Mark Reynolds is also an intriguing prospect and could be ready for a breakthrough campaign if Chad Tracy doesn’t steal his at-bats. The Rockies are going to give them a run for the division, but the D-Backs don’t have many holes.	Offseason Movement: Seattle added two excellent pieces to their starting rotation, landing former Orioles’ ace Erik Bedard and trusty veteran Carlos Silva. The M’s also added IF Tug Hulett in exchange for 1B Ben Broussard. Keep Your Eye On: Yuniesky Betancourt, SS After the All-Star break last year, Betancourt’s batting average increased 40 points, from .271 to .311, and his slugging percentage increased an impressive 115 points, from .366 to .481. For a young player entering only his third full season, he has decent power – especially for a shortstop – and he should continue to hit around .290. He might be another year from a breakout season, but he’s an intriguing prospect. The Big Question: Will the pitching hold up this year? Seattle was just two games behind the division-leading Angels in late August but then stumbled to a 2-15 finish, and a lot of their struggles were due to pitching. Their mark of 4.73 was the worst ERA among the AL’s contending teams and LHP Jarrod Washburn continues to underperform. The addition of Bedard and Silva, along with the continued development of future star RHP Felix Hernandez, should get Seattle over the hump this year. Outlook: If the Angels get off to a slow start due to injuries to starting pitchers John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, the Mariners might have a fantastic opportunity to seize an early lead in the AL West. Bedard and Hernandez make a nasty 1-2 punch, although Washburn has to step up after two lackluster seasons. One of the most underrated features of this team is its defense, with OF Ichiro Suzuki, Betancourt and 3B Adrian Beltre lending plenty of support to the pitching staff. The lineup is very versatile too. Ichiro and DH Jose Vidro will once again set the table for power hitters Beltre, OF Raul Ibanez and 1B Richie Sexson. Catcher Kenji Johjima is also very underrated in the six-spot. They should produce plenty of runs again and have no problem at least contending for the Wild Card.

Offseason Movement: The Braves welcomed a blast from the past when they brought back LHP Tom Glavine, previously of the Mets. They also dealt SS Edgar Renteria to Detroit for OF Gorkys Hernandez and RHP Jair Jurrjens, and landed LHP Will Ohman and IF Omar Infante in a three-team trade with the Cubs and Tigers. Keep Your Eye On: Jeff Francoeur, RF It’s amazing to think Francoeur is only 24 years old, considering he’s entering his fourth season in the big leagues (third as a full-time player). With that said, his breakout year might not be for another season or two, but he should once again make considerable strides in his development. He’s a solid hitter who should again close in on a .300 average with 25-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI. He’s also developing into an excellent outfielder. The Big Question: After John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Glavine, is the rotation good enough? The big three of Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine could combine for 40-plus wins this season, but can Mike Hampton be counted on? In short: no, he can’t. He has major elbow problems and is arguably the Braves’ biggest question mark heading into the season. Who will emerge for the fifth spot? Chuck James has to be the favorite, but he’ll face competition from Jeff Bennett, Jo-Jo Reyes and Jair Jurrjens. Outlook: This team has the potential to be very good, but a lot will depend on the youngsters. Francoeur, SS Yunel Escobar and 2B Kelly Johnson all need to take their game to the next level so that 1B Mark Teixeira's and 3B Chipper Jones’ offensive efforts don’t go to waste. Escobar could be the next young shortstop to emerge as a star, although he may have the pressure of batting leadoff. Catcher Brian McCann proved last year that he’s no one-year wonder and gives Atlanta adequate power and RBI production. Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine are solid, although age is of course an issue. If Hampton once again falls victim to injuries, two young pitching prospects might be baptized by fire. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this team make a deep postseason run, although a second-half collapse isn’t out of the question with their age concerns in the starting rotation.

Offseason Movement: The Rockies added IF Marcus Giles and RHP Luis Vizcaino via free agency, and also traded for RHP Jose Capellan (Tigers). In the trade for Capellan, Colorado gave up RHP Denny Bautista, while 2B Kaz Matsui signed a free agent contract with Houston. Keep Your Eye On: Troy Tulowitzki, SS Many figure Tulowitzki will be the face of the Rockies’ franchise for years to come. While Matt Holliday might have something to say about that, there’s no denying Tulowitzki is loaded with talent. In his first full season, Tulowitzki hit .291 with 24 long balls and 99 RBI. His offensive production should only increase with more at-bats, and he’s quickly become one of the better defensive shortstops in the NL. The Big Question: Are the Rockies due for a letdown? Colorado’s climb to the World Series last year was magical, but they’re not going to be able to sneak up on anybody this season. The have great young talent in Holliday, Tulowitzki, OF Brad Hawpe and 3B Garrett Atkins, but it’s a different game when a team has a target on its back. Were they a fluke last year or have they become a perennial contender? Outlook: Even though the Rockies might backtrack record-wise, there’s no doubt that they’re on the right track, based on what they accomplished last year. Once again, this team is loaded with young talent and it was clear during their postseason run a year ago that they have great chemistry. First baseman Todd Helton’s veteran presence -- both on the field and in the clubhouse -- can’t be overlooked, and the Rockies were wise not to deal him in years past. Despite the lack of a true No. 1, the starting rotation is solid, led by 17-game winner Jeff Francis. No. 2 Aaron Cook is also very reliable and RHP Manny Corpas really flourished in the closer role after LHP Brian Fuentes was ineffective and hit the DL in late June. Colorado should compete this year, although a letdown seems very likely.
Offseason Movement: The Jays added scrappy David Eckstein to be their leadoff hitter and regular shortstop. The team also landed infielder Marco Scutaro in a trade with the A’s. Keep Your Eye On: Adam Lind, OF The 24-year-old Lind will compete for the starting left fielder job, even though he struggled a bit at the plate last year. He has the potential to hit 20-plus dingers and bat around .280, but he must improve his patience at the plate. He ended last season with a 10-game hitting streak, so maybe that will give him confidence entering 2008. The Big Question: Can the team stay healthy this year? Starting pitchers Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and Gustavo Chacin, closer B.J. Ryan, 1B Lyle Overbay, C Gregg Zaun and OF Vernon Wells all found themselves on the disabled list last year. It’s amazing that the Jays won 83 games after suffering so many injuries, but enough youngsters stepped up when they needed to. So the question is, if the regulars can stay relatively healthy for an entire season, is this a 90-win club? Outlook: Staying healthy is one of the main goals for every team, but it’s especially so for the Blue Jays. They could contend for the Wild Card if guys like Wells and Overbay avoid the DL. OF Alex Rios is a star and maybe 3B Scott Rolen and DH Frank Thomas have another productive season left in them. They certainly have enough pitching with Halladay and Burnett, as well as promising youngsters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum. If Ryan can bounce back from Tommy John surgery, he’ll give an incredible boost to the pen. If not, RHP Jeremy Accardo proved last year that he could be a reliable closer. Toronto is good enough to compete, but as always it’s going to be tough to overcome both the Red Sox and Yankees in the AL East.	Offseason Movement: Perhaps the biggest addition the Dodgers made wasn’t on the field, but in the clubhouse. Joe Torre will take over as manager, bringing vast experience and knowledge with him from the Bronx. The Dodgers also signed OF Andruw Jones and RHP Hiroki Kuroda. LHP Randy Wolf, C Mike Lieberthal and IF Ramon Martinez will not return. Keep Your Eye On: Jonathan Broxton, RP Takashi Saito will enter the season as L.A.’s closer again, but he’s 38 and Broxton is clearly the future. Blessed with a rocket launcher for an arm, Broxton is a fiery competitor, which translates well to the closer role. He’ll start the season as the setup man, but don’t be shocked if he seizes the closer job sometime after the All-Star break. The Big Question: How much of an impact will Torre make? The Dodgers are extremely talented, but they’ve been a mess in the clubhouse for years. Torre was brought in to restore the team’s chemistry and he’s certainly up for the task. His calm, cool demeanor and his approach with both veterans and younger players should make a world of difference in L.A. Outlook: This team is good – very good. There’s no reason they can’t compete with Arizona and Colorado in the NL West with young talent like Broxton, C Russell Martin, 1B James Loney and outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Plus, they have two players in Jones and SS Rafael Furcal who are primed for bounce-back seasons. The rotation is good too, with RHPs Brad Penny and Derek Lowe leading the way, and Chad Billingsley finally living up to his potential. If RHP Jason Schmidt could ever stay healthy, he would be the best No. 5 starter in the league. With all that said, can Torre keep the harmony and get this team to cash in on its talent and potential? If he can, the Dodgers might be the sleeper in the NL, if not all of baseball.
Offseason Movement: The Rays reeled in promising RHP Matt Garza and SS Jason Bartlett in a trade with the Twins, but they lost young OF Delmon Young, 2B Brendan Harris and OF Jason Pirdie in the process. They also traded troublesome OF Elijah Dukes to the Nationals and signed OF Cliff Floyd and RHP Troy Percival to free agent contracts. Keep Your Eye On: B.J. Upton, CF There’s no other way to put it: Upton is a stud. He’s a five-tool player with a cannon for an arm, excellent speed and a fast bat. He’s a .300 hitter with 25-homer potential, and might wind up stealing 30 bases too. Say hello to the next Torii Hunter – only with more power. The Big Question: Have the Rays improved their pitching? Adding the promising Garza to the rotation certainly helped Tampa’s pitching situation. But ace Scott Kazmir is already dealing with an elbow injury and will open the year on the DL, which leaves the rotation looking awfully thin again behind Opening Day starter James Shields. The Percival signing could wind up being huge, not only if he performs well on the mound, but also if he serves as a mentor for all the young arms on the staff. Outlook: The good news is that once again the Rays are loaded with young position talent. Upton is a superstar in the making, while OF Carl Crawford became the first player ever to improve his batting average each of his first six seasons in the league. Third baseman Evan Longoria is regarded as one of the best prospects in the game and C Dioner Navarro is a switch-hitter who slugged .475 after the All-Star break last year. The bad news is that Kazmir once again has injury issues and the rest of the rotation, after Shields, is shaky. And with the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays all in the same division, wins are hard to come by. At least this team is on the right track and once they get more quality arms, the Rays will become legitimate contenders.	Offseason Movement: Clearly the Marlins lost a ton of talent by sending All-Star 3B Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, and also parting with one-time ace Dontrelle Willis in the same trade. But they got six outstanding prospects in the deal, including OF Cameron Maybin, C Mike Rabelo and LHP Andrew Miller. Keep Your Eye On: Cameron M aybin, CF Listing him in this category might be entirely premature, but Maybin is a fantastic prospect. The 20-year-old phenom showed last year that he’s not ready for the big leagues, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an intriguing talent. He has the potential to hit 30 home runs and steal 50 bases, on top of playing great defense. He will start the season in Triple-A, but at some point the Fish are going to want to see what they got in return for Cabrera and Willis. The Big Question: How raw is the starting rotation? Very raw. Anibal Sanchez, Sergio Mitre, Andrew Miller and Scott Olsen are all lacking experience and will no doubt suffer growing pains. The good news is that Florida doesn’t have anyone else to turn to, so at least the starters don’t have to worry about losing their jobs and can just concentrate on improving. Outlook: One would think that losing Cabrera and Willis would set the Marlins back years. But considering how rich they are in young talent, it’s only a matter of time before they start competing again. Unfortunately it won’t be this season, not with the amount of raw talent that’s on the roster. But they’re definitely on the right track. Hanley Ramirez is the next great young shortstop and Maybin might soon be one of the most talked about center fielders in the game. Left fielder Josh Willingham is a vastly underrated cleanup hitter and 1B Mike Jacobs has the potential to blossom into a solid regular. Second baseman Dan Uggla, 3B Jorge Cantu and Rabelo make a decent bottom of the order. The pitching is going to take some time to develop, so don’t expect the Marlins to compete much this season.

Offseason Movement: The Royals traded RHP Billy Buckner to the Diamondbacks in exchange for IF Alberto Callaspo. They also landed LHP Ray Liotta (no, not that Ray Liotta) in the Rule 5 Draft from the White Sox. Long-time DH Mike Sweeney was not re-signed. Keep Your Eye On: Alex Gordon, 3B Okay, so he didn’t live up to expectations last year, but the very highly touted Gordon could be primed for a breakout campaign in 2008. He faded last season after hitting .327 in June and finished with 15 homers, 60 RBI, 60 runs and 14 steals. This year he could easily hit 20 homers, with 80 RBI, 75 runs and 15 stolen bases. The Big Question: Will effective No. 4 and No. 5 pitchers emerge? After RHPs Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke, the Royals’ rotation is incredibly thin. LHP Jorge De La Rosa might not even be the best No. 4 on the roster, but he’ll win the job by default because he’s a lefty. Former No. 1 overall pick Luke Hochevar will get an opportunity to be the fifth starter, but he hasn’t been overly impressive and might be beaten out by Kyle Davies or John Bale. Outlook: Sure, K.C. is probably headed for another fifth-place finish in the AL Central but that doesn’t mean they’re not growing as an organization. They brought in a new manager (Trey Hillman) and chased top free agents Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Hiroki Kuroda. They didn’t land any of those players, but at least the front office is trying to change the mindset. Gordon is still an intriguing player, as is shortstop Tony Pena. They could do worse than Meche, Bannister and Greinke, although as previously noted, they have issues at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the rotation. Closer Joakim Soria is a rising star and there’s no reason to believe he won’t improve on the success he had last year as a rookie. They may not win a ton of games, but believe it or not, the Royals aren’t the mess they used to be.

Offseason Movement: The Pads landed OF Jim Edmonds in a trade with the Cardinals, and attempted to beef up their pitching by adding free agents LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Mark Prior. The team also signed 2B Tadahito Iguchi. Options on OFs Milton Bradley and Rob Mackowiak were declined. Keep Your Eye On: Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B Out of the Padres’ regulars, Kouzmanoff arguably has the most upside. He struggled in April last year, hitting just .113. But from May 10 through the rest of the season, he hit .309 with 17 dingers and 66 RBI. Hitting in Petco Park certainly won’t help his power numbers, but he should hit close to 20 home runs. He might be a year or two away from a breakout campaign, but he could still turn some heads this season. The Big Question: Does this team have enough offense to compete? First baseman Adrian Gonzalez has a ton of potential as a cleanup hitter, but he’s also streaky and will get into slumps. Shortstop Khalil Greene has power, but doesn’t hit for average, and Edmonds is coming off an injury-plagued season. The Pads also don’t have a prototypical leadoff hitter and overall lack power. Once again, runs might be hard to come by this year. Outlook: The Padres certainly play to their park’s strength with their solid starting rotation. Jake Peavy is arguably the best pitcher in the NL, if not all of baseball, and it won’t be long before RHP Chris Young is consistently winning 15-plus games. Greg Maddux is the trusty No. 3 and if Wolf’s shoulder holds up, he’s a solid No. 4. With that said, the offense will probably struggle again to generate runs, and with the loads of good pitching in the NL West, this team probably won’t be in the postseason hunt in late August. Unless, of course, the pitching keeps them above water and the team can acquire a big bat at the trade deadline. Sometimes all it takes is adding one or two pieces for a team to become an instant playoff contender.	Offseason Movement: Houston had a busy offseason, but the biggest move was trading for SS Miguel Tejada, formerly of the Orioles. The team also acquired RHP Geoff Geary and closer Jose Valverde, as well as outfielder Michael Bourn, via various trades. Free agent Kaz Matsui was signed to be the starting second baseman. The team had to part with IF Chris Burke, RHPs Brad Lidge, Juan Gutierrez and Chad Quallas, as well as SS Eric Bruntlett and SS Adam Everett as part of trade compensation. Keep Your Eye On: Hunter Pence, CF Pence is not only the talk of Houston, but perhaps all of baseball. The Astros love his energetic style of play and excellent bat speed. Once he gets more at-bats, he could be a .300 hitter who also slugs 25 homers and drives in 100 runs. The 24-year old needs time to develop, but he looks like a future star. The Big Question: Do the 'Stros have enough offense? Tejada was a nice addition, but his average, home ru, and RBI production all dropped last year, plus he’s 32 and coming off a tumultuous offseason in which he was listed in the Mitchell Report. Will he bounce back in Minute Maid Park and protect 1B Lance Berkman like the team hopes? And after Tejada, Berkman and OF Carlos Lee, the lineup has major question marks. Pence, CF Michael Bourn, and C J.R. Towles will all go through growing pains. Outlook: This team has a nice blend of young and veteran talent, but there are some holes that will likely keep them from competing for a postseason berth this season. For one, the rotation is thin after mainstay Roy Oswalt. RHP Brandon Backe missed most of 2007 following Tommy John surgery, LHP Wandy Rodriguez struggled on the road last year and RHP Woody Williams is on the decline. The good news is that the bullpen is stronger with the addition of underrated closer Jose Valverde, and the lineup offers potential. Still, they’ll need another arm or two to compete for the Wild Card.
Offseason Movement: The Nats added reliable veteran C Paul Lo Duca, IF Aaron Boone and took a chance on trading for troublesome OF Elijah Dukes, formerly of the Rays. The team also sent OF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider to the Mets in exchange for OF Lastings Milledge. The team parted ways with one-time ace John Patterson. Keep Your Eye On: Lastings M illedge, CF Milledge has been dying for the opportunity to become a full time player and now gets the chance in Washington. He’ll bat in the two-hole and start in center, where the team loves his speed and arm strength. Some believe he’s more flash than substance and that he’s immature, but there’s no doubting that he could become a 30-30 outfielder if he realizes his potential. The Big Question: How bad is the rotation? RHP Shawn Hill has excellent stuff but he can’t stay healthy. RHP Jason Bergmann is a good breaking ball pitcher but he hasn’t been consistent. LHP Matt Chico has a deep pitch selection but has lacked control. And LHP John Lannan, RHP Tyler Clippard and RHP Tim Redding are a mixed bag. Long story short, the Nationals will have issues with their starting pitching this season. Outlook: This team has intriguing talent in Milledge, OF Willy Mo Pena and 3B Ryan Zimmerman, but the starting pitching situation could be a disaster. At least closer Chad Cordero is reliable, and really, the rest of the pen is pretty solid. RHP Jon Rauch has an overpowering fastball, RHP Saul Rivera faced a major-league best 373 straight batters last season without allowing a home run, and RHP Luis Ayala has responded well to having Tommy John surgery. But the bottom line is that this team has too many holes to compete, and a potential chemistry issue with Milledge and Dukes being in the same outfield. Until the Nats get more starting pitching, they’ll always fish near the bottom of the NL East pool.	Offseason Movement: The Sox dealt OF Ryan Sweeney and LHP Gio Gonzalez in exchange for OF Nick Swisher. The team also traded RHP Jon Garland for SS Orlando Cabrera and signed RHP Scott Linebrink to a free agent contract. Outfielder Carlos Quentin was acquired via trade with the Diamondbacks. Keep Your Eye On: Josh Fields, OF/3B Fields didn’t have a very strong spring and was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, but with Joe Crede’s health always an issue, the 25-year-old prospect could get a chance to build upon last year's 23 homers at some point this season. The Big Question: Can the middle of the order bounce back? One year after hitting a career-high .313, cleanup hitter Paul Konerko slumped to a .259 average in 2007. He also had his fewest home runs, RBI and runs scored since 2003. Similarly, OF Jermaine Dye slumped to a .254 average with 28 dingers last year after hitting .315 with 44 home runs in 2006. With Crede and Jim Thome’s health frequently in question, the middle of the Sox order has major question marks. Outlook: There’s no hidden trick with this team – they need Konerko, Dye and Crede to bounce back, or another 90-loss season is on the horizon. Cabrera is a nice speed addition to the top of the order and Swisher gives the Sox pop in the two-hole, but offensively the success of this team lies on the shoulders of Konerko, Dye and Crede. Chicago has a nice 1-2-3 punch at the top of their rotation with LHP Mark Buehrle, as well as RHPs Javier Vazquez and Jose Contreras, but losing Garland will hurt. The bullpen has some question marks too, although closer Bobby Jenks is as effective as they come. Considering they won the World Series three years ago, nobody should be surprised to see this team compete this year. But with the Tigers and Indians also in their division, the Sox probably won’t finish higher than third or fourth.
Offseason Movement: The Reds wanted a veteran manager and they found one in former Giants’ and Cubs’ skipper Dusty Baker. Cincy will have a new closer next year in former Nationals’ RHP Francisco Codero. The team also acquired RHP Edinson Volquez in a deal that sent OF Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. Infielder Jorge Cantu, LHPs Eddie Guardado and Eric Milton, and OF Buck Coats will not return this season. Keep Your Eye On: Edwin Encarnacion, 3B While Encarnacion has plenty of work to do defensively, he’s already developed into a nice young hitter. He’s got great hands and is quick through the zone, making him a legitimate .300 hitter once he gets more experience. He’s also shown above-average power, and as long as he doesn’t try to pull every pitch he could become a complete hitter in a few years. The Big Question: What kind of impact will Baker have? Baker has a reputation of earning veterans’ respect and he should be a nice mentor for youngsters Encarnacion and 1B prospect Joey Votto. Assuming Baker will turn the Reds into instant contenders is a bit of a stretch, but he has done more with less in the past. He’ll get the most of the vets and as long as he doesn’t burn out the pitching staff – which he has a tendency to do – he should be a great addition to a club lacking direction. Outlook: The Reds have some intriguing pieces in Encarnacion, Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips and of course, veteran OFs Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. But they need more pitching. Ace Aaron Harang is vastly underrated and RHP Homer Bailey is the prized prospect, but a bad back has hampered RHP Matt Belisle for most of his career and LHP Bobby Lingston is coming off surgery for a torn labrum. If the offense could generate more runs for RHP Bronson Arroyo, he and Harang would make a nice 1-2 punch. But the bottom line is the staff is thin as a whole and there probably won’t be enough offense for this team to compete for a Wild Card.	Offseason Movement: The team acquired OF Josh Hamilton in a deal that sent RHP Edinson Volquez to the Reds. The Rangers also signed OF Milton Bradley and traded for 1Bs Ben Broussard (Mariners) and Chris Shelton (Tigers). Designated hitter Sammy Sosa, OF Brad Wilkerson and RHP Akinori Otsuka were not re-signed. Keep Your Eye On: Josh H amilton, OF The former No. 1 overall pick in the 1999 draft has seemingly put his life back together after suffering with a heroin addiction. He’ll get a fresh start in Texas, where he’ll play center and is projected to bat cleanup. If the 26-year-old stays on the right track, he could wind up hitting close to .290 with 25 home runs, 80-plus RBI and 80-plus runs. Maybe this will be the year he realizes his immense talent and becomes a star in the league. The Big Question: Do they have enough pitching? The top three in the Rangers’ starting rotation – Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla and Brandon McCarthy – had a combined record of 21-34 last year. On top of that, both Millwood (5.16) and Padilla (5.76) posted career highs in ERA, and McCarthy has durability concerns after spending two stints on the DL last year. Lefty Kason Gabbard and RHP Luis Mendoza are promising, but as a whole, this rotation looks adequate at best. Outlook: It appears that the Rangers are finally on the right track after adding talented players like Hamilton and Bradley to their lineup, but the pitching is average and most of their young prospects are still in the minors or just breaking into the bigs. Everyone expects C Jarrod Saltalamacchia – acquired in a deadline trade with the Braves last season – to be a star in his first full season, but he needs time to develop. Realistically, Texas is still at least a year or two away from competing in the AL West, especially considering the Angels are stacked and the Mariners vastly improved with the addition of ace Erik Bedard.

Offseason Movement: The Cards signed free agent Cesar Izturis to be their starting shortstop and swapped third basemen with the Blue Jays, acquiring Troy Glaus for Scott Rolen. The team also dealt long-time center fielder Jim Edmonds to the Padres and lost OF So Taguchi when he signed with the Phillies. Keep Your Eye On: Colby Rasmus, OF Rasmus is the organization’s top prospect and although he’s only 21, many scouts feel he’s ready to become the Cards’ starting center fielder. He wrapped up his stint in Class-AA Springfield with a .932 OPS and also finished with 69 extra-base hits, 72 RBI and 93 runs. The club already feels that he could be the leadoff hitter on Opening Day. The Big Question: What is the status of Albert Pujols’ elbow? In early March, Cardinals’ team doctor George Paletta said Pujols had a high grade tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, as well as bone spurs, inflammation and arthritis of the joint. Pujols will likely need Tommy John surgery at some point, but will it be this season or will he play through the pain hoping that the Cards can contend? He’s had a great spring thus far, and all indications are that St. Louis will have their star player for at least the start of the season. Outlook: Just two years ago the Cards were hoisting a World Series trophy. Now it appears one of baseball’s best franchises is entering dark years. Mark Mulder is expected to miss the first month of the season following left shoulder surgery and Chris Carpenter probably won't be ready to pitch until mid-July after having Tommy John surgery. That puts a ton of pressure on youngster Adam Wainwright to be the ace of the staff and while he's certainly capable, he’s also still inexperienced. The lineup has issues too, with Pujols, Glaus and OF Chris Duncan battling nagging injuries. Is Rick Ankiel ready to be an everyday right fielder? If everything falls right, the Cards could contend for a Wild Card. But that’s a big if.	Offseason Movement: The Twins had a busy offseason, first trading RHP Matt Garza, SS Jason Bartlett and RHP Eduardo Morlan to the Rays in exchange for OFs Delmon Young, Jason Pirdie and 2B Brendan Harris. Then, after months of deliberating and waiting for the best deal, they sent ace Johan Santana to the Mets for a slew of prospects. Keep Your Eye On: Delmon Young, OF After a slow start last year in Tampa, Young rebounded after the All-Star break and finished the season hitting .288 with 13 homers and knocking in 93 RBI. Young now becomes the cleanup hitter in Minnesota and could flourish with C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau protecting him in the lineup. In only his second full season, Young could pound out 25-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI. He’s only 22, however, so he’ll need time to grow as a hitter. The Big Question: Has Francisco Liriano fully recovered? In 2006, Liriano burst onto the big league scene by winning 12 games and posting an amazing 2.16 ERA. But Tommy John surgery shelved him for the entire 2007 season and questions remain about whether or not his violent throwing motion will cause more injury problems. At this point, the best-case scenario is that he stays healthy and shows signs of recovery. Obviously the team will take it slow with their electric 24-year-old. Outlook: Owner Carl Pohlad refuses to spend money in order to compete with teams like the Red Sox and Yankees, so again the Twins will rely on their farm system. That’s not a bad plan when players like Mauer, Morneau and OF Michael Cuddyer develop from the farm, but the rotation is thin. Santana is gone, Liriano is coming off Tommy John surgery and while RHP Scott Baker has shown potential, he’s still young. At least RHP Joe Nathan can always be counted on in the ninth, although the rest of the pen looks shaky. The lineup looks solid, but Mauer has to stay healthy and Young will be asked to produce right away. This team is going to struggle through some growing pains and they need more quality arms before they can contend again.
Offseason Movement: The Bucs sent RHP Salomon Torres to the Brewers for RHPs Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts. The team also signed INF Chris Gomez and declined option on SS Cesar Izturis. Keep Your Eye On: Tom Gorzelanny, SP Although his ERA was a bit high at 3.88, the 25-year old Gorzelanny quietly had a productive year, posting 14 wins in 201.7 innings of work. With more run support and a little more help from the bullpen, Gorzelanny could post 15 wins for the first time in his career. Unfortunately, he probably won’t get much help and therefore his full potential probably won’t be reached this season. That doesn’t mean he’s not a good pitcher, and his stock is definitely on the rise. The Big Question: Will they every change the culture in Pittsburgh? General Manager Neal Huntington, team president Frank Coonelly and chairman of the board Bob Nutting are dying to change the attitude of the organization, but it just hasn’t panned out. There appears to be a losing attitude in the clubhouse, and that’s why John Russell was hired as manager to help breathe life into this dead organization. Will it work? Well, considering the front office is unwilling to spend to compete, it doesn’t seem like Russell has all the proper tools in order to complete the job. Outlook: This team is loaded with young pitching talent, from Gorzelanny to workhorse Ian Snell to the promising Zach Duke. They also have a fairly versatile lineup with 1B Adam LaRoche coming off career highs in hits (139) and doubles (42), 2B Freddy Sanchez hitting over .300 again, OF Xavier Nady displaying some power and 3B Jose Bautista improving his average 19 points last year. But the Bucs can never seem to put it all together. The front office is trying to get younger, but also attempting to show fans that the club can at least play .500 ball at the same time. The plan isn’t working and unfortunately for the fans in Pittsburgh, it appears that another 90-loss season might be on the horizon.	Offseason Movement: For the first time in 15 years, Barry Bonds will not be the Giants’ starting left fielder, after the team decided to part ways with the slugger in the offseason. San Fran also decided not to re-sign 1B Ryan Klesko and RHP Russ Ortiz. Aaron Rowand, a fan favorite in Philadelphia the past two years, was signed to be the Giants’ starting center fielder. Keep Your Eye On: Tim Lincecum, RHP “The Franchise” burst onto the big-league scene last year as a rookie, striking out 150 batters in only 146.1 innings. The small-framed pitcher looks more like a batboy than a future Cy Young candidate, but don’t let his size fool you – he’s got electric stuff. The Giants resisted trading Lincecum to Toronto for OF Alex Rios in the offseason, and will now count on him and RHP Matt Cain to anchor the rotation for years to come. The Big Question: Where’s the offense? Without a doubt, this team has the worst offense in the NL and maybe in all of baseball. Catcher Bengie Molina would be great in the six-hole, but he’s no cleanup hitter. Shortstop Omar Vizquel, 2B Ray Durham and IF Rich Aurilia were all brutal at the plate last year, yet the Giants made no upgrades in the offseason. Without Bonds, this lineup has zero punch. Outlook: Vizquel, Durham, Aurilia and OF Dave Roberts would be perfect as the 10th man on a contender, but the Giants are relying on these players as regulars. Rowand will be a great addition on defense in the spacious outfield of AT&T Park, but his offensive production is sure to drop after spending two seasons in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. It’s a shame the lineup is so bad, because the starting pitching staff is chockfull of young talent. Cain and Lincecum are future stars, RHP Kevin Correia and LHP Jonathan Sanchez appear ready to take the next step, and LHP Barry Zito should be better than the 11-13 record he posted a season ago. The pen needs a lot of work, but the rotation is set. Too bad the offense will hold them back.
Offseason Movement: The O’s made two big offseason moves. The first was acquiring RHPs Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate, LHP Troy Patton and OF Luke Scott from the Astros in exchange for SS Miguel Tejada. The second was sending ace Erik Bedard to the Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, LHP George Sherrill, RHP Chris Tillman, RHP Kam Mickolio and LHP Tony Butler. Keep Your Eye On: Adam J ones, OF Baltimore didn’t hand over their ace Bedard without getting a significant centerpiece. That centerpiece is Jones, one of the elite prospects in all of MLB. Jones is likely to start in center for the O’s and has drawn comparisons to Torii Hunter and Mike Cameron with his outstanding combination of defense, power and speed. At 22, he’ll need time to develop, but he’s had a nice spring, and as long as a lingering back injury doesn’t slow him down too much, he should have a nice rookie season. The Big Question: Is this team doomed again this year? The season hasn’t even started and things already look gloomy for the Orioles. Landing Jones in the Bedard deal was great, but he’s going to need time to develop. Major personnel changes need to happen before this team ever becomes a competitor. At least GM Andy MacPhail resisted going after high-priced free agents this offseason and instead focused on rebuilding around young talent. It won’t happen this year or the next, but maybe Baltimore is finally on the right track. Outlook: It’ll be intriguing to see how Jones develops this season. Outfielder Nick Markakis is another bright spot and easily the team’s most valuable player with what he contributes both offensively and defensively. Third baseman Melvin Mora batted .326 in 24 September games last season, so maybe the top of the order will surprise, although 1B Kevin Millar is clearly the cleanup hitter by default. The rotation took a big hit by losing Bedard, but RHP Jeremy Guthrie was second among AL rookies in ERA, strikeouts and innings last year, so he’s a player to build around. This team won’t compete in a stacked AL East, but maybe some of their young players will start to come into their own.	Offseason Movement: The A’s traded RHPs Dan Haren and Connor Robertson to Arizona for OF Carlos Gonzalez, LHP Brett Anderson, OF Aaron Cunningham, 1B Chris Carter, LHP Greg Smith and LHP Dana Eveland. The team also acquired OF Ryan Sweeney and LHP Gio Gonzalez from the White Sox in exchange for OF Nick Swisher. Keep Your Eye On: Gio Gonzalez, OF Gonzalez was blocked by Justin Upton and Chris Young in Arizona and may not see immediate action in Oakland either, but he’s definitely part of the A’s rebuilding plan. The trade of Swisher to Chicago has opened a spot for Gonzalez to compete – now he just has to earn a job. He hit .286 with 16 homers, 33 doubles, 75 RBI and nine stolen bases in 120 AA games last year, and could be the A’s regular center fielder by the All-Star break. The Big Question: Can Rich Harden and Huston Street stay healthy? Harden was limited to only seven games and four starts after a strained back and strained elbow ligament forced him to miss most of the season. If he’s healthy, he’s a power pitcher and a true ace, but he’s also been hampered by an oblique injury in the past. Street was limited to 48 appearances after missing more than two months with an irritated ulnar nerve in his right elbow. If both of these pitchers can’t stay healthy, it’s going to be a long year in Oakland. (Although, it might be a long year no matter what.) Outlook: GM Billy Beane has the knack for making trades that will immediately help his ballclub compete, but this rebuilding project might take some time. It’s no secret Harden and Street have to stay healthy if the A’s are to have any chance to compete for a Wild Card in the AL, but will RHP Joe Blanton be dealt at some point and further deplete the starting rotation? And how much longer can 3B Eric Chavez play before he finally breaks down? Shortstop Bobby Crosby has to prove he can stay healthy, too. Designated Hitter Jack Cust was a bright spot for the team last year, but he alone can’t carry the club. The A’s never seem to have chemistry issues and usually play to their max potential, but it’s hard to image anything but a last place finish.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS