Matthew Bodnar
Staff Reporter
AL East
Boston Red Sox- The addition of starting pitcher, John Lackey, gives the Red Sox the most complete and deepest pitching staff that will carry them to the AL East crown. Lackey, who pitched for the Angles last year, will join Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Bucholtz and Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Boston rotation. This rotation will be able to shut down opposing lineups in their division, the question is will this team have enough offense? Jacoby Ellsbury will continue to improve and will set the table for Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis throughout the year. Newly added shortstop Marco Scutaro is an improvement from last year, as is third baseman Adrian Beltre, who replaces the oft-injured Mike Lowell. The key to the Boston offense will be David Ortiz. Last year, he struggled immensely with his power and failed to drive in enough runs. If he returns to his 2004-2007 form, the Red Sox will be able to book a ticket for the post-season.
AL Central
Minnesota Twins- Joe Mauer, the best catcher in all of baseball, will be the catalyst of the Twins who will open their new stadium by playing deep into October. Mauer will be the 2010 American League MVP, posting an average above .350, over 30 home runs and over 100 RBIs. These numbers, combined with the power of Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, and Justin Morneau, will be plenty of offense for this team that relies on defense and pitching. Scott Baker should lead the pitching staff with over 15 wins, and the return of Francisco Liriano should provide quite the spark. Liriano, a highly touted prospect, will carry the Twins staff with double-digit wins and will be the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year. Ron Gardenhire, manager of the Twins, emphasizes smart baseball and look for the Twins to follow this formula to the top of the division in 2010.
AL West
Seattle Mariners- The Mariners made a slew of offseason moves that will ultimately propel them past the Angels for the division title. Seattle general manager, Jack Zduriencik, went out and signed third baseman Chone Figgins, acquired outfielder Milton Bradley, first baseman Kasey Kotchman, and starting pitcher Cliff Lee. Figgins will combine with Ichiro in getting on base providing Bradley, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ken Griffey Jr. with plenty of oppurtunities to drive runs in. Cliff Lee, who dominated the 2009 postseason, will create a two-headed monster with 2010 Cy Young winner, Felix Hernandez. No team will want to face these two studs in the playoffs as they will completely dominate games. The brilliant moves of Jack Zduriencik, combined with the Angels losing John Lackey, Chone Figgins, and Vladimir Guerrero, will lead to the Mariners being the Big Dog out West.
AL Wild Card
New York Yankees- The Yanks, who spent a stimulus package worth of money last year, made smaller moves this year that will upgrade their team for 2010. The addition of starting pitcher Javier Vazquez will improve the staff, and will take some pressure of a fifth starter Phil Hughes. This means Joba Chamberlain will be placed in the bullpen, where he should flourish. C.C. Sabathia will put up his usual double-digits wins, along with A.J. Burnett. One has to wonder how Andy Pettitte and his age will hold up over the course of the whole season. The offense became younger with the addition of outfielder Curtis Granderson, who provides speed and power to the Bronx Bombers. Nick Johnson, an underrated player will be the new DH, and will slide in nicely behind the consummate professional, Derek Jeter, in the lineup. One has to figure Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira will have another huge year of 40 plus homeruns and 120 plus RBIs. All of these factors indicate the Yankees will have no trouble reaching the postseason and no one will be surprised when they reach the World Series for the second year in a row.
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies- A full season of newly acquired pitcher Roy Halladay and offensive players in their prime will lead the Phillies to their third National League Championship in three years. Halladay, who comes over from the Blue Jays, will absolutely dominate the NL with 20 plus wins and a sub 3.00 ERA. Look for Halladay to claim the 2010 NL Cy Young award and have a positive effect and young pitcher Cole Hamels. Hamels, who struggled last year, will bounce back with 15 plus wins after developing a third pitch to go along with his above average change-up and fastball. The question with the Phils will be their fifth starter in the rotation. Regardless of who fills that role, he can rest assured knowing he will have the most powerful offense behind him. Ryan Howard will post 50 plus homeruns, Jayson Werth is good for 30 plus homeruns and 2010 MVP Chase Utley will lead the team in average, while displaying power and great defense. The addition of third baseman Placido Polanco will add more stability and situational hitting to a lineup that is prone to strike outs. Let’s not forget Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, and Raul Ibanez who will contribute across the board to a team that will have a rematch with the Yankees in the World Series.
NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals- Anytime Albert Pujols steps onto the field for the Cardinals, they have a chance to win. The resigning of Matt Holiday will prove to be essential to the Cardinal’s playoff aspirations. Holiday will provide Pujols with a power bat that pitchers will not be able to ignore. As a result, Pujols should get some pitches to hit, which will be trouble for the rest of the NL. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright anchor the Cardinal pitching staff that will dominate their NL Central foes. The relatively weak NL Central will prove to be no match for the Cardinals who will cruise to the division title.
NL West
San Francisco Giants- With the turmoil of money troubles for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the West is a wide open race as the Dodgers were unable to spend the money to improve their team. As a result, Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain will lead a renewed Giants offense into the top spot in the West. Rookie Madison Bumgarner will add to the rotation’s depth and overall effectiveness. Rookie catcher Buster Posey, a top-rated prospect will provide just the first of a new punch of offense for San Fran this year. Look for Posey to claim the Rookie of the Year title. Pablo Sandoval will continue his breakout performance from last year, while new additions Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff will provide some consistency and pop to the lineup. I expect the Giants to shock the baseball world by dominating the West from the pitch of the season.
NL Wild Card
Colorado Rockies- In recent years, the Rockies have simply found a way to win enough games to qualify for the playoffs. Elder statesman Todd Helton and young gun Troy Tulowitzki will key this offense. Rest assured, this team will put up runs. The pitching staff will be the key to the postseason car this year. Ubaldo Jiminez and Jorge de la Rosa have ace potential and I expect them to live up to the hype by posting 15 plus win seasons. Houston Street will slam the door shut in the ninth, and the Rox will be able to focus on making noise in the playoffs.
