The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

National League

East- This will be one of the closest divisional races in the league. The defending World Series champion Phillies look to repeat. They did not have any big signings, so they are relying on last years team to come through again. The collapse-prone New York Mets beefed up their bullpen, which was their only flaw as they choked down the stretch last season. They picked up K-Rod who broke the saves record last year, and added J.J. Putz as a setup man. The Braves were silent last year, but signed some veterans. Derek Lowe adds a big arm to that rotation, and will give them at least 15 wins this year. Though the Marlins and Nationals finished 4th and 5th in '08, their young talent could give the big three troubles over the season.
Winner- The Phillies made the playoffs last year because they made a great run at the end of the season, as their bullpen was amazing, and the closer Lidge didn't blow a save. That will be extremely hard to duplicate. The Braves rotation is better but I don't know if their the best in the division. The Mets patched their holes from last year, and although they are in dire need of a big right handed bat, they should be able to get a big name like Holladay around the All-Star break. Pick: New York Mets

Central- This division has a couple good teams as well. The Cubs made the playoffs last year again, but continued to add to their dreaded history by doing nothing but lose in the first round again. The Brewers made the playoffs because C.C. Sabathia carried the team through August and September, but added no big names this off season. The Cardinals fell off the map in 2008, but have everyone healthy this year and look to start on a positive note. Houston is ageing, but still show signs they could play. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are dismal and show no sign of improving. The Pirates are so bad that they could hold the worse record ever once all is said and done.
Winner- The Brewers lost C.C. to the Yanks so they are out of the picture. Houston needs more starting pitching if they want to compete. This division race should come down to St. Louis and Chicago. The Cardinals have the best player in baseball, but Albert can't carry this team by himself. The Cubs have good pitching and hitting and look great on paper. Pick: Chicago Cubs

West- Last year the Dodgers won the west, and did so by trading for Manny. At the time they were in third, but Manny lifted the club to the promise land. The Giants have o.k. hitting, but their pitching is phenomenal. Although the Rockies were in the World Series 2 years ago, I believe they will go back to their old ways. Arizona finished in a close second, and look to put up a fight this year. The Padres are the Padres and I can't see them turning their franchise around from a miserable 2008 season.
Winner- After the Dodgers lost Lowe to Atlanta, their pitching isn't that great, but they did resign Manny Ramirez. The Diamondbacks have decent pitching, and their young lineup could spark a run. San Fransisco has the best pitching in the division, and you can't win games without solid arms behind you. Pick: San Fransisco Giants

Wild Card- The Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, and Cardinals will create a tight-nit race for the last playoff spot. The Braves will diminish in their hard division, and the Dodgers pitching won't bring them to the promise land. The Cardinals offense will carry them the whole season, but you can not win with hitting alone. This leaves the defending W.S. champion Phillies, who have a solid core of guys that proved they could get the job done. Pick: Philadelphia Phillies

American League

East- This is probably the toughest division in the MLB. The Yankees spent half a billion dollars this off season on 1B Mark Teixeira and pitchers C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. The Boston Red Sox took the Wild Card spot in the AL last year and they show no sign of slowing down. They signed veteran John Smoltz, and beefed up an already impressive pitching staff. The A.L. champion Rays shocked the world last year, beating out the Sox and Yanks to claim the East their own. Their pitching staff and young bats are still in tact and they will still reek havoc on the division.
Winner- The Yankees production will be overshadowed by A-Roid and his antics, and they will have to put this behind them to be successful. Although the Tampa Bay Rays won the east last year and put themselves on the map, it will be hard for them to repeat their miracle season. Pick: Boston Red Sox

Central- The White Sox took the division last year. Their team remains the same as they look to repeat. The Twins have the pitching, but their bats concern me if they want to be competitive. Detroit fell off the map after reaching the World Series a few years ago. The Tigers, Royals, and Indians teams do not look too impressive and I expect them all to battle for last place.
Winner- This race should come down to Chicago and Minnesota. With Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau on you're team you cant go wrong. And with their pitching being solid, they should put up a good fight. The White Sox have big bats like Jermaine Dye and Wilson Betemit, and solid pitchers like Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreres. When push comes to shove, I believe the Twinkies will come through. Pick: Minnesota Twins

West- The Angels won the division last year with big bats and decent pitching. Not to mention a lack of competition. Seattle looks to improve as they signed Griffey Jr. The A's and Rangers did not improve really at all and are probably going to have another miserable season.
Winner- Although Seattle might put up a fight, the Angels have Vlad Guerrero. They won the division by 21 games last year and will probably do the same again. Pick: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Wild Card- This will be a close one. It will most likely come down to the Yankees, Rays, and the White Sox. I don't know if Tampa Bay can create a run like they did last year. The Sox will most likely fade toward mid August. The Yanks have an all-star lineup and solid pitching, so I expect to see them in the postseason. Pick: New York Yankees


World Series- After it's all said and done, the Mets have filled all of their voids, and look to be the favorite in the National League, while their cross town rival Yankees have the tools to do the same damage in the AL. We have another NY subway World Series on our hands. And as it has been proven in the past, "money doesn't buy championships", the Mets will come away with the title as the MLB's best. Pick: New York Mets

N.L. MVP- Albert Pujols, St Louis Cardinals
A.L. MVP- Mark Teixeira, NY Yankees
N.L. Cy Young- Johan Santana, NY Mets
A.L. Cy Young- C.C. Sabathia, NY Yankees

And there is the complete 2009 MLB season preview. It is going to be an exciting one, and I look forward to things getting started.