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2012 MLB Season

PreviewBy: Chris Sladoje

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Baltimore Orioles

The Ace: Zack Britton

2011: 11-11 (W-L), 4.61 (ERA), 97 (SO)

The Bat: Adam Jones

2011: .280 (BA), 25 (HR), 83 (RBI)

2011: 69-93

2012 Projection: With the young talent finally

starting to come through and the right manager

in place, things are starting to look up. In a

deep AL East, they are still way to thin tocompete. 5th in AL East

Bottom Line: Two years

from now theyll either be

in the thick of it or back

to square one

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Boston Red Sox

The Ace: Jon Lester

2011: 15-9 (W-L), 3.47 (ERA), 182 (SO)

The Bat: Adrian Gonzalez

2011: .338 (BA), 27 (HR), 117 (RBI)

2011: 90-72

2012 Projection: The biggest

question is Daniel Bard, should he

become a good pitcher, things

should look good, if not, they wont

need a late season collapse to missthe playoffs. 3rd in AL East

Bottom Line:

Offense, check.

Pitching, uhmmm.

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New York Yankees

The Ace: CC Sabathia

2011: 19-8 (W-L), 3.00 (ERA), 230 (SO)

The Bat: Robinson Cano

2011: .302 (BA), 28 (HR), 118 (RBI)

2012 Projection: A team that already has

an explosive offense, bolstered a weak

pitching staff by added Michael Pineda and

Hiroki Kuroda. Watch out! 1st in AL East

Bottom Line: #1 payroll also

equals #1 team

2011: 97-65

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Tampa Bay Rays

The Ace: James Shields

2011: 16-12 (W-L), 2.82 (ERA), 225 (SO)

The Bat: Evan Longoria

2011: .244 (BA), 31 (HR), 99 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Even though they seem to

lose every player to free agency, they

continue to reloaded with the best prospects

in baseball. Expect a slow start, but a

blazing finish. 2nd in AL East

Bottom Line: Unless Longoria

leaves they will be good

2011: 91-71

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Toronto Blue Jays

The Ace: Ricky Romero

2011: 15-11 (W-L), 2.92 (ERA), 178 (SO)

The Bat: Jose Bautista

2011: .302 (BA), 43 (HR), 103 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Since their last World Series, they have been stuck behind the Sox

and Yankees, and just recently the Rays. The AL East is Deep, and unless a young

pitching staff can find a rhythm and the lineup around Bautista shows up, expectmore mediocrity. 4th in AL East

Bottom Line:

Mediocrity since 1994

2011: 81-81

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Chicago White Sox

The Ace: Gavin Floyd

2011: 12-13 (W-L), 4.37 (ERA), 151 (SO)

The Bat: Paul Konerko

2011: .300 (BA), 31 (HR), 105 (RBI)

2012 Projection: They lost Ozzie Gullien,

Carlos Quentin and Mark Buehrle. They

massively underperformed last year, it could be

a long year for the Whitte Sox in a AL Central

that has good young teams. 5th in AL Central

Bottom Line: Adam Dunn made

12 mil, last year and hit .159.

Enough said.

2011: 79-83

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Cleveland Indians

The Ace: Justin Masterson

2011: 12-10 (W-L), 3.21 (ERA), 158 (SO)

The Bat: Asdrubal Cabrera

2011: .273 (BA), 25 (HR), 92 (RBI)

2012 Projections: Only the Twins used the DL

more than the Indians last year, so health is a

concern. Ubaldo Jimenez must regain his 2010

form, and the bats must come alive for this young

team to make a run. 2nd in AL Central

Bottom Line: Every year

is next year, so is this

THE year?

2011: 80-82

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Detroit Tigers

The Ace: Justin Verlander

2011: 24-5 (W-L), 2.40 (ERA), 250 (SO)

The Bat: Miguel Cabrera

2011: .344(BA), 30 (HR), 105 (RBI)

2012 Projection: The team that won the AL Central last

year, added Prince Fielder to a lineup that already has

Miguel Cabrera. Oh, they also have MVP and Cy Young

winner Justin Verlander. 1st

in AL Central

Bottom Line: Prince Fielder

and Miguel Cabrera make the

best one-two punch in

baseball

2011: 95-67

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Kansas City Royals

The Ace: Jonathan Sanchez

2011: 4-7 (W-L), 4.26 (ERA), 102 (SO)

The Bat: Eric Hosmer

2011: .293 (BA), 19 (HR), 78 (RBI)

2012 Projection: This team is no longer

a 100 game loser anymore. Suretheyre young, but the offense is very

good. The pitching, not so much.

Sanchez if healthy is top 10, but there is

a big drop off after that. If the starters

can hold it in check the bullpen should

be able to close. 3rd in AL Central

Bottom Line: Watch out

for this team, next year.

2011: 71-91

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Minnesota Twins

The Ace: Francisco Liriano

2011: 9-10 (W-L), 5.09 (ERA), 112 (SO)

The Bat: Joe Mauer

2011: .287 (BA), 3 (HR), 30 (RBI)

2012 Projection: A healthy Joe Mauer and Justin

Morneau greatly improve this teams chances, but

unless someone else on the team decides to

show up, even that wont help them much. If

Liriano can at least return to 2010 form, they still

just might make .500. 4th

in AL Central

Bottom Line: 369, the number ofgames played by Mauer and

Morneau over the past two years,

out of 648

2011: 63-99

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Los Angeles Angels

The Ace: Jered Weaver

2011: 18-8 (W-L), 2.41 (ERA), 198 (SO)

The Bat: Albert Pujols2011: .299 (BA), 37 (HR), 99 (RBI)

2012 Projections: This team oozes unbelievable talent.

They are easily the deepest team in the AL. They sign Albert

Pujols, the games best. They also signed C.J. Wilson, who

will pitch behind Weaver and Dan Haren. If only I had more

room to rave about this team. 1st in AL West

Bottom Line: Albert

Pujols, Albert Pujols,

and Albert Pujols

2011: 86-76

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Oakland Athletics

The Ace: Brandon McCarthy

2011: 9-9 (W-L), 3.32 (ERA), 123 (SO)

The Bat: Yoenis Cespedes

2011: N/A

2012 Projection: They dump half their roster and then sign

Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a mega deal? Is that

what you call Moneyball. Anyway, they have an anemic

offense and their pitching isnt much better. But, hey, no ones

goes to As games anyway. Right? 4th in AL West

Bottom Line:Insert

Moneyball joke here.

2011: 74-88

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Seattle Mariners

The Ace: Felix Hernandez

2011: 14-14 (W-L), 3.47 (ERA), 222 (SO)

The Bat: Dustin Ackley

2011: .273 (BA), 6 (HR), 36 (RBI)

2012 Projections: They gained Jesus

Montero, who should help the worst offensein the game. King Felix will take this team

as far as he can, but even so its tough to

win, when your team doesnt score any

runs. 3rd in AL West

Bottom Line:Ill bet in 4 years time, JesusMontero will be traded back to the Yankees

because Seattle wont be able to afford him

2011: 67-95

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Texas Rangers

The Ace: Yu Darvish

2011: N/A

The Bat: Josh Hamilton

2011: .298 (BA), 25 (HR), 94 (RBI)

2012 Projections: Back-to-back AL Champs, might be out for

blood this year. They lost their ace for the second straight year

(Cliff Lee, now C.J. Wilson), but brought in a potential ace in

Darvish. The offense is the best in baseball when healthy, so if

Hamilton, Cruz, and Beltre can all play full seasons they will be on

their way to a 3rd straight World Series. If not, they are still a shoe-

in to win 90 games. 2

nd

in AL West

Bottom Line: George W.

would be proud of this team

2011: 96-66

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Atlanta Braves

The Ace: Tommy Hanson

2011: 11-7 (W-L), 3.60 (ERA), 142 (SO)

The Bat: Brian McCann2011: .270 (BA), 24 (HR), 71 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Last year, was not a complete disaster. Well, it

was for the offense, as it seemed to have regressed extremely.

The bullpen, might be the best in the game, and the rotation is

solid. A rebound season from Jason Heyward and Martin Prado,

could propel the team to the post-season. 1st in NL East

Bottom Line: Strong

Bullpen will save the

season

2011: 89-73

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Miami Marlins

The Ace: Josh Johnson

2011: 3-1 (W-L), 1.64 (ERA), 56 (SO)

The Bat: Giancarlo Stanton

2011: .262 (BA), 34 (HR), 87 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Their payroll went from 56

mil to 110 mil, so obviously, theyre better. IfHanley Ramirez can buy what Ozzie Gullien

is selling they will be fine offensively. If

Johnson can throw the way he did before his

injury, they will win the NL East. If is the

key word here. 2nd in NL East

Bottom Line: This new

stadium will hopefully

prevent future fire sales

2011: 72-90

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New York Mets

The Ace: Johan Santana

2011: N/A

The Bat: David Wright

2011: .254 (BA), 14 (HR), 61 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Long gone are the Mets who

overspend on players. Say hello to the new cellar-dweller Mets. Mets fans, no one needs to know

that you switched to the Yankees, because unless

Santana pitches like he did in Minnesota and

David Wright can return to a 30-30 player you

WILL lose 100 games. 5th in NL East

Bottom Line:You dont cut

50 mil off your salary and

come out a better team

2011: 77-85

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Ace: Roy Halladay

2011: 19-6 (W-L), 2.35 (ERA), 220 (SO)

The Bat: Hunter Pence

2011: .314 (BA), 22 (HR), 97 (RBI)

2012 Projection:Its time to find out

if good pitching really does beat

good hitting, because unless that

adage is true, the Phillies might be

in trouble. Sure the 3-headed

monster of Halladay, Lee, and

Hamels is the best, but the offense

is starting to age and unless the

young guns tear the cover off the

ball, dont expect this team to be All-

world. 3rd

in NL East

Bottom Line: RyanHowards achilles, could turn

out to be the achilles of this

team

2011: 102-60

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Washington Nationals

The Ace: Stephen Strasburg

2011: 1-1 (W-L), 1.50 (ERA), 24 (SO)

The Bat: Ryan Zimmerman

2011: .289 (BA), 12 (HR), 49 (RBI)

2012 Projection: This is the all-

hype team, the what could bes

and the sleeper. If and when

Bryce Harper gets the call up, thisteam could be dangerous. They

massively upgraded their rotation

and they get their main cogs

healthy. But in the deepest divison

in baseball, they are still one bat

and one-two years away fromcontending. 4th in NL East

Bottom Line: This might bethe most interesting team to

watch for this year and years

to come

2011: 80-81

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Chicago Cubs

The Ace: Matt Garza

2011: 10-10 (W-L), 3.32 (ERA), 197 (SO)

The Bat: Starlin Castro

2011: .307 (BA), 10 (HR), 66 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Starlin Castro may one day be the best

shortstop in the game, but whew, is there a drop-off in talent

after him. This team seems to be either to young or to old at

many positions. Theo Epstein (GM), may have been their best

acquisition. Will he be able to get the Cubs to a World Series,

or will he just be added to the list of the other GMs of the last100 so years? Not this year or the next one. 5th in NL Central

Bottom Line: Back to the

Future II, projects Cubs

win World Series in 2015

2011: 71-91

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Cincinnati Reds

The Ace: Johnny Cueto

2011: 9-5 (W-L), 2.31 (EAR), 104 (SO)

The Bat: Joey Votto

2011: .309 (BA), 29 (HR), 103 (RBI)

2012 Projection: With Albert Pujols having left the division,

can the Reds finally step and win the division. One of the

most talented teams in the league, they disappointed last

year, but after acquiring Matt Latos, they finally have a deep

rotation. The offense isnt a problem as they can hit with

even the best offenses. If the pitching comes through, theywill be a tough out, throughout the year. 1st in NL Central

Bottom Line: Will the Big

Red Machine return in 2012?

2011: 79-83

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Houston Astros

The Ace: Wandy Rodriguez

2011: 11-11 (W-L), 3.49 (ERA), 166 (SO)

The Bat: Carlos Lee

2011: .275 (BA), 18 (HR), 94 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Name one Astro besides the two on

this page. Thats what I thought. They are the worst

team by far in the League, and things will not be getting

any easier next year when they move to the AL West.

My prediction, the Astros will be good when the next

rocket launches. 6th in NL Central

Bottom Line: Houston, we

have, not one, but many

problems

2011: 56-106

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Milwaukee Brewers

The Ace: Zack Greinke

2011: 16-6 (W-L), 3.83 (ERA), 201 (SO)

The Bat: Ryan Braun

2011: .332 (BA), 33 (HR), 113 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Their best news came when Braunwon his appeal. The bad news is that they lost

slugger Prince Fielder. Lucky, they have a rotation

that rivals Philadelphias. I expect them to upgrade

the empty first base position, either through trade or

by call up. No matter what, they will compete for the

division title. 2nd

in NL Central

Bottom Line: No Prince, no

problem

2011: 96-66

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Pittsburgh Pirates

The Ace: Erik Bedard2011: 5-9 (W-L), 3.62 (ERA), 125 (SO)

The Bat: Andrew McCutchen

2011: .259 (BA), 23 (HR), 89 (RBI)

2012 Projection: 1993 was the last time the Pirates had awinning record. It might not be long till that happens again.

The Pirates are still a very raw team, with very good pieces in

place. When A.J. Burnett returns from injury and if Pedro

Alvarez, can build off a solid rookie season two years ago, they

might push .500. Especially in a suddenly weak NL Central.

4th in NL Central

Bottom Line: No longer a

farm team to the Yankees

anymore

2011: 72-90

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St. Louis Cardinals

The Ace: Chris Carpenter

2011: 11-9 (W-L), 3.45 (ERA), 191 (SO)

The Bat: Matt Holliday

2011: .296 (BA), 22 (HR), 75 (RBI)

2012 Projection:They lost some guy, whats his name?

Ah, Albert Pujols, the games best hitter. So obviously, thereigning World Series champs have regressed. On the

positive side, Adam Wainwright returns from injury. They

also signed Carlos Beltran. So, a improved pitching staff

from last year, but a decreased offense, may result in

some closer games. As long as the pitching remains

consistent they should be fine. 3rd in NL Central

Bottom Line: Albert Pujols,

Albert Pujols, and Albert

Pujols

2011: 90-72

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Arizona Diamondbacks

The Ace: Ian Kennedy

2011: 21-4 (W-L), 2.88 (ERA), 198 (SO)

The Bat: Justin Upton

2011: .289 (BA), 31 (HR), 88 (RBI)

2012 Projections: This pitching staff has the talent tobe possibly the best in the game. The addition of

Jason Kubel, gives them three outfielders who all have

30 homerun potential. This team definitely has

potential, maybe too much of it. They could either win

their division handily or be out of it by August. Im

going with the former. 1st in NL West

Bottom Line: Caution,

snakes bite

2011: 94-68

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Colorado Rockies

The Ace: Jhoulys Chacin

2011: 11-14 (W-L), 3.62 (ERA), 150 (SO)

The Bat: Troy Tulowitzki

2011: .302 (BA), 30 (HR), 105 (RBI)

2012 Projection: Their pitching is atrocious, their offense isgreat. This is the basic pattern of the Rockies, and their Rocky

Mountain air. If Alex White and Drew Pomeranz, come through

with their high expectations, next years Rockies will be a very

good team, until they arrive temper expectations. 4th in NL West

Bottom Line: Rocky

Mountain Low (for now)

2011: 73-89

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Ace: Clayton Kershaw

2011: 21-5 (W-L), 2.28 (ERA), 248 (SO)

The Bat: Matt Kemp

2011: .324 (BA), 39 (HR), 126 (RBI)

2012 Projection:Its a two man show for the Dodgers, but what a show it is. They

have possibly the 2012 Cy Young and MVP winner, but they still will struggle to finish

above .500. They will succeed when find an owner and a surrounding crew to

support Kershaw and Kemp. 3rd in NL West

Bottom Line: WANTED: Team

Owner

2011: 82-79

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San Diego Padres

The Ace: Cory Luebke

2011: 6-10 (W-L), 3.29 (ERA), 154 (SO)

The Bat: Carlos Quentin

2011: .254 (BA), 24 (HR), 77 (HR)

2012 Projection: Thank god, they have a pitchers park,

because they have a very inexperienced staff. Yonder

Alonso will become the next Adrian Gonzalez. They

dont have any offense besides that. 5th in West

Bottom Line: Welcome

to San Diego, the death

of Runs.

2011: 71-91

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San Francisco Giants

The Ace: Tim Lincecum

2011: 13-14 (W-L), 2.74 (ERA), 220 (SO)

The Bat: Buster Posey2011: .284 (BA), 4 (HR), 21 (RBI)

2012 Projection: The return of Buster Posey greatly increases

their chances. They already have one of the best pitching staffs in

baseball. Adding Melky Cabrera helps the offense immensely also.

Every thing is in place for another World Series run. 2nd in NL

West

Bottom Line: Fear the Beard

2011: 86-76