National League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Their pitching rotation and bullpen are the main reason they get the edge ahead of the Cardinals.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

They’re able to plug any holes with a booming farm system and sign the premier free agent catcher in Willson Contreras to replace the retired Yadier Molina.

3. Chicago Cubs

An interesting offseason in which they spent big money on signing Dansby Swanson, but it’s unknown what the long-term plan is.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

The one saving grace for them is that they play in the same division as the Reds.

5. Cincinnati Reds

Ownership and the fan base are having a war of words with each other. That’s the only thing worth watching play out this season with the Reds.

Player to Watch: P Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers

Best Acquisition: C Willson Contreras – St. Louis Cardinals

New Kid on the Block: 3B/OF Jordan Walker – St. Louis Cardinals

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National League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Atlanta Braves

A stellar lineup that gets bolstered with the addition of Sean Murphy and a deep pitching staff bodes well for them in October.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

Losing Rhys Hoskins for the season will be noticeable, but adding Trea Turner should help offset that injury.

3. New York Mets

If their closer Edwin Diaz did not have a season ending injury in the World Baseball Classic, they would be a contender for the division. A Wild Card spot is still within reach with this group they’ve assembled.

4. Miami Marlins

Outside of Sandy Alcantara, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Luis Arraez, there ins’t much here in terms of being contenders.

5. Washington Nationals

Yes, the return they got for Juan Soto at last years trade deadline was good, but this is going to be a rough year for this franchise.

Player to Watch: P Sandy Alcantara – Miami Marlins

Best Acquisition: SS Trea Turner – Philadelphia Phillies

New Kid on the Block: C Francisco Alvarez – New York Mets

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American League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Houston Astros

Even with the loss of Justin Verlander to free agency, their depth is so good that it won’t affect them much at all. Adding Jose Abreu was a shrewd move on their part.

2. Seattle Mariners

They finally got back into the Postseason, but fell flat. Bringing in Teoscar Hernandez and Kolten Wong brings added experience for October.

3. Los Angeles Angels

All eyes will be on this franchise and whether they extend, trade or eventually let superstar Shohei Ohtani test free agency after the season.

4. Texas Rangers

It was another spending spree of an offseason for this franchise; mostly focused on their pitching staff. The real focus is on who they hired to be their manager as Bruce Bochy makes his return.

5. Oakland Athletics

The clock is ticking on whether they stay in the Bay Area or make an eventual move to Las Vegas.

Player to Watch: P/DH Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels

Best Acquisition: P Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers

New Kid on the Block: C Logan O’Hoppe – Los Angeles Angels

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American League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Cleveland Guardians

It starts with their pitching depth and what they can dispatch from the minor leagues. Their lineup is well balanced and Jose Ramirez is a yearly MVP candidate.

2. Minnesota Twins

The trade to acquire Pablo Lopez cost them Luis Arraez, but with them resigning Carlos Correa it isn’t that large of a loss.

3. Chicago White Sox

They are on the cusp of either being a legitimate contender or falling flat on their faces in the cellar.

4. Detroit Tigers

The only thing to watch about them this year is Miguel Cabrera who is playing in his final season.

5. Kansas City Royals

There are a few bright spots with the likes of Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino taking hold of their respective positions. Outside of that it’s another rough year.

Player to Watch: 3B Jose Ramirez – Cleveland Guardians

Best Acquisition: P Pablo Lopez – Minnesota Twins

New Kid on the Block: P Jackson Jobe – Detroit Tigers

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American League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. New York Yankees

After a historic season from AL MVP Aaron Judge, he now wears the title of ‘captain’ and a massive extension to boot for a franchise that desperately wants another World Series title.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

The lineup got even better with the addition of Daulton Varsho, but there are still some serious question marks with their pitching depth.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

They are looked at as the little brother of this division, but they are almost always in contention and that will be the case again this year.

4. Baltimore Orioles

Being that ownership seems to still penny pinch with the best of them, this current group of ‘homegrown’ talent is coming together nicely and could push for a Wild Card spot down the stretch.

5. Boston Red Sox

It was an offseason of puzzling decisions, but extending Rafael Devers was the right move. Now what to make of them going forward in a stacked AL East?

Player to Watch: OF Aaron Judge – New York Yankees

Best Acquisition: P Carlos Rodon – New York Yankees

New Kid on the Block: P Grayson Rodriguez – Baltimore Orioles

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