National League East

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Atlanta Braves

I can’t imagine that they will be missing the Postseason again with the amount of injuries they had last season. The rotation is getting hit to start, but the lineup is healthy and is stacked.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

They made a few tweaks to the lineup and extended a couple of their starting pitchers. If Zack Wheeler returns to his former self from injury then this team will be in contention.

3. New York Mets

Once again they swung big in the offseason and got some notable names in free agency and via trade. But did they did do enough to replace the likes of Pete Alonso in the lineup and Edwin Diaz in the bullpen?

4. Miami Marlins

Slowly, but surely they are building a young core that will contend for a Wild Card spot soon. For now though the likelihood of them trading Sandy Alcantara is increasing daily.

5. Washington Nationals

This franchise is in the midst of a very long and arduous rebuilding project that has gone far beyond the one they had from 2006-10.

Player to Watch: DH Kyle Schwarber – Philadelphia Phillies

Best Acquisition: 3B Bo Bichette – New York Mets

New Kid on the Block: P Nolan McLean – New York Mets

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American League West

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Seattle Mariners

It’s the best time for them to recharge and get back to the ALCS for another shot at their first World Series appearance.

2. Houston Astros

The health of Yordan Alvarez will determine this team’s success. If he suffers an injury then Houston will be in danger of missing the Postseason for consecutive seasons.

3. Texas Rangers

The acquisition of MacKenzie Gore puts their rotation near Seattle’s, but the Rangers lineup doesn’t have the same pop as they’ve had in years past.

4. Athletics

Their lineup will be scoring a ton of runs with the depth they have. Whether they will have the pitching needed to sustain a chance at a .500 record is another matter.

5. Los Angeles Angels

Once again they are plugging in their various holes on the roster with temporary fillers and hoping it works out for them. While their owner continues to gaslight the fanbase into thinking that he is putting together a contender year in and year out.

Player to Watch: C Cal Raleigh – Seattle Mariners

Best Acquisition: P MacKenzie Gore – Texas Rangers

New Kid on the Block: SS Colt Emerson – Seattle Mariners

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American League Central

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Detroit Tigers

Will Skubal win his third consecutive Cy Young award and if the Tigers should falter this season will they end up trading him instead of losing him for nothing in the offseason?

2. Kansas City Royals

They have put together a solid core that should make a run for a Wild Card spot this season.

3. Cleveland Guardians

Their lineup consists of Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, but not much else in terms of productivity. The pitching staff will take a hit with former closer Emmanuel Clase’s federal charges of fixing games via gambling manipulation keeping him away from baseball.

4. Chicago White Sox

This is the time for them to take a step out of the cellar with a better cast of hitters to unleash, but the pitching staff has a ways to go still.

5. Minnesota Twins

The fire sale at last season’s deadline is just the beginning. It’s going to get a lot worse before it looks any better for this franchise.

Player to Watch: P Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers

Best Acquisition: P Framber Valdez – Detroit Tigers

New Kid on the Block: SS Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers

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American League East

Standard

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Toronto Blue Jays

They were so close to winning it all last season. Their depth in the rotation and lineup has improved, but they might miss having Bo Bichette.

2. Baltimore Orioles

It’s a make or break season for them with the young crop of hitters coming due for big paydays. Acquiring Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward puts less pressure on the rest of the bats to shoulder the load.

3. New York Yankees

When Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return from injury the rotation will come together quickly. The lineup has a few glaring holes though.

4. Boston Red Sox

They shored up the rotation and the bullpen has a solid setup and closing options. There are questions about the lineup though and if the young bats can duplicate their success from last seasons small sample size.

5. Tampa Bay Rays

They’ll return to their home ballpark, but with the penny pinching continuing from ownership it’s going to be a tough year to out duel the rest of the division.

Player to Watch: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays

Best Acquisition: P Dylan Cease – Toronto Blue Jays

New Kid on the Block: C/DH Samuel Basallo – Baltimore Orioles

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