MLB Preview Part 4: AL Central

In part four, Notes From the Nosebleeds takes a look at the American League Central:

1) Chicago White Sox
What to like: The White Sox have a very potent lineup that got even better with the addition of slugger Adam Dunn, who is always a threat to hit one out as long as he can make contact. They have a pair of young stars in the middle infield in 2B Gordon Beckham and SS Alexi Ramirez, each of whom have showed promise early in their careers and should continue to develop nicely. OF Alex Rios appears to have put a disastrous 2009 season split between Toronto and Chicago behind him.

What not to like: The pitching staff is full of question marks and could be the club’s undoing if those questions go unanswered. Staff ace Mark Beuhrle posted a pedestrian 4.28 ERA last season, and the rest of the rotation has shown flashes of both brilliance and incompetence. The bullpen has lost a couple of quality arms in Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz , and the closer role is somewhat up in the air.

Outlook: If the pitching staff can keep the White Sox close, the offense should be able to slug its way to a lot of runs and a division title.

Key Player: Buehrle. The four time All-Star and two time Gold Glove winner has had an interesting career. His season ERA has been below 3.50 only twice in his 11 year career, and has recorded double-digit losses seven times, yet he is still considered one of the game’s best, partly due to his durability, and partly due to penchant for dramatically brilliant play: he’s thrown a no-hitter and a perfect game, set the Major League record with 45 straight batters retired and made one of baseball’s most memorable plays on Opening Day last year. He remains the White Sox most consistent pitcher, for better or for worse, and he is the key to their division title run.

X-factor: RHP Jake Peavy. The former Cy Young winner disappointed in his first full season with the White Sox, posting a 7-6 record with an ERA of 4.63 while starting just 17 games in an injury plagued year. He is still recovering from mid-season surgery that ended his season last year, and the earliest estimate for his return is late April. If he returns at anything resembling the level he was at when he was with the Padres, he can help solidify an otherwise iffy rotation.

Notable additions: Dunn

Notable subtractions: Jenks, Putz, OF Andruw Jones, DH Manny Ramirez

2) Minnesota Twins
What to like: The Twins have a pair of perennial MVP candidates anchoring the middle of their lineup with C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau. An unheralded starting rotation is loaded with solid talent, led by a pair of once-dead stars in Francisco Liriano and Carl Pavano. Closer Joe Nathan looks healthy after undergoing Tommy John surgery just before the start of last season.

What not to like: Morneau (.192 BA, no HR) and Nathan (11.30 ERA) both struggled in spring training, hinting that while they’re healthy and ready to play on Opening Day, they may not return to their pre-injury production levels. The Twins also lost their starting middle infield from last year, and replaced them with a couple of unknown quantities in Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka and disappointing prospect Alexi Casilla.

Outlook: The Twins have won the division in back-to-back seasons, and they seem to be in the mix every year despite several worrisome off-seasons. It would not surprise me at all to see the Twins playing baseball in October yet again.

Key player: Mauer. The 2009 AL MVP saw his numbers dip somewhat in 2010, but he remained one of the game’s best hitters, even from a traditionally light-hitting position. The three-time batting champion probably isn’t as much of a threat to go deep as he was in 2009 (28 HR), but his health and continued production is tantamount to the Twins success, meaning a move to first base or DH is probably not far off.

X-factor: Nathan. The Twins title hopes took a huge hit late in spring training last year when it was announced that their All-Star closer would miss the entire season, and though they managed to capture the title without him, Nathan is still a very important piece of the Twins’ bullpen. He didn’t perform well in Spring Training, and the Twins hope he’ll return to form once the games start to count.

Notable additions: SS Nishioka

Notable subtractions: SS J.J. Hardy, 2B Orlando Hudson, LHP Brian Fuentes

3) Detroit Tigers
What to like: The middle of the Tigers lineup is filled with some of the game’s best hitters in 1B Miguel Cabrera, OF Magglio Ordonez and C/DH Victor Martinez. The starting rotation should be much improved after the team jettisoned drastically underperforming Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman, as well as would-be perfect gamer Armando Gallaraga. The addition of RHP Joaquin Benoit from the Rays should bolster a shaky bullpen.

What not to like: Cabrera’s off-season problems (see below) are becoming a major issue. Despite improvements, there’s not a lot to love about the starting rotation. Benoit may not be enough to improve the league’s 4^th worst bullpen last year.

Outlook: Any of the top three teams could win the Central if everything goes right for them. The Tigers, however, probably have too many ifs to come out on top in 2011.

Key player: Cabrera. The Tigers’ best hitter is a sure-fire Hall of Famer – if he can put the bottle down long enough to stay out of trouble. A DUI arrest in February was his second very public incident with substance abuse, and while his off-the-field problems have yet to affect his on-field performance, another major incident could net a stiff penalty from the league office. He is the Tigers’ most important player, and they need him to stay on the field.

X-factor: RHP Max Scherzer. The Arizona Diamondbacks import had a disastrous start to his 2010 season, but returned from a demotion to AAA to recover and have a decent season. He has shown the ability to be a very serviceable middle of the rotation for a contender, and his progression will be key to the success of the rotation.

Notable additions: Benoit, Martinez, RHP Brad Penny

Notable subtractions: Bonderman, Willis, Gallaraga, OH Johnny Damon

4) Kansas City Royals
What to like: The farm system is the best in baseball, and so the 2013 theoretical Royals look like a bona fide World Series contender. For now, that’s about all the Royals have going for them until the prospects start to arrive.

What not to like: The big league team is fraught with has-beens and busts. OF Alex Gordon, once the future of the Royals franchise, hasn’t reached .250 or 10 home runs since 2008, and is likely to be replaced when the new future of the franchise arrives. The rest of the outfield is populated with prospect-turned-bust castoffs from the Yankees (Melky Cabrera) and Braves (Jeff Francoeur).

Outlook: It’s going to take at least one, maybe two or three years for the Royals to be a contender, but they appear to be on the edge of breaking out. That is, as long as most of their highly touted prospects turn out. For now, the veteran placeholders will team up with the first of the young talent to arrive at the big league level, and they should be able to spring past the Indians and get out of the AL Central cellar.

Key player: Billy Butler, DH. Butler is Kansas City’s best offensive weapon for the time being. He’s set career highs in batting average, OBP and OPS last season, and at 24-years-old, he’s one of the only current Royals not likely to be replaced when the prospects start to arrive.

X-factor: The outfield. All three starters in the outfield are one-time big name prospects who have disappointed mightily at the big league level. Their production, or lack thereof, in 2011 will go a long way in determining the success of this year’s club.

Notable additions: OF Melky Cabrera, OF Lorenzo Cain, SS Alcides Escobar, LHP Jeff Francis

Notable subtractions: RHP Zach Grienke, OF David DeJesus, SS Yuniesky Betancourt

5) Cleveland Indians
What to like: The last holdovers from the 2007 ALCS run, OF Grady Sizemore and RHP Fausto Carmona, are still here to lead the offense and pitching staff, respectively. OF Shin-Soo Choo, a star in the making, avoided mandatory military service in his native South Korea when the national team won gold at the 2009 Asian Games. Highly anticipated catching prospect Carlos Santana appears to be fully recovered from a 2010 season-ending knee injury.

What not to like: With the fire sale the Indians have been running since that ALCS run, it’s unlikely that more than one of the three players mentioned above will be stuck in Cleveland past the All-Star break. Sizemore will start the season on the DL, and isn’t likely to ever regain his perennial All-Star form. Several of the prospects the Indians received in return for former stars like C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez have failed to pan out.

Outlook: It’s going to be another long summer for Cleveland sports fans; not to be confused with its long falls (the Browns) or winters (the Cavs). Its hard to believe a team that was one win away from the World Series in 2007 has fallen so far so fast.

Key player: Choo. The South Korean gold medal at the 2009 Asian Games is the best thing to happen to Cleveland since the Cavs drafted LeBron. He’s hit .300 with 20 HR and 20 SB in each of the last two seasons, and is the centerpiece of an otherwise stagnant offense.

X-factor: 1B Matt LaPorta. Once one of the most highly anticipated prospects in baseball, LaPorta has been a huge disappointment since coming over from the Brewers in the Sabathia deal. He’s hit .232 with 19 home runs in 162 games over parts of two seasons. The Indians still have hope that he can be the hitter they anticipated him being, but it seems unlikely at this point.

Notable additions: 2B Orlando Cabrera

Notable subtractions: None

MLB Preview Part 3: NL Central

The NFTN 2011 Major League Baseball preview rolls on with the NL Central in part three. Note that my heart is in this one just a little bit more than the others. Let's get started:

1) Milwaukee Brewers
What to like: The starting rotation, once the organization's biggest weakness, is now among the top staffs in the league. The improved pitching should take some pressure off the lineup, led by perennial All-Stars 1B Prince Fielder and OF Ryan Braun, and a bullpen that has been run into the ground in recent years trying to mop up after bad starts night in and night out.

What not to like: The injury bug hit the Brew Crew hard in Spring Training, as all nine projected Opening Day starters missed time due to injury. Newly acquired ace Zach Grienke, OF Corey Hart and C Jonathan Lucroy are all expected to miss the start of the season, and 3B Casey McGehee's status is up in the air after taking a pitch to his surgically repaired knee yesterday. The bottom half of the lineup is weak, so the runs will have to come from the 1-5 spots.

Outlook: If everyone can stay healthy, and the new arrivals can do what they're supposed to do, the Brewers should be a contender for the NL Central crown.

Key Player: Grienke. The most important off-season acquisition in Brewers history started his tenure off on a sour note when a cracked rib he injured in a pickup basketball game landed him on the Opening Day DL. If he can return at 100% with a minimum number of starts missed, it will go a long way in helping the Brewers get back to the playoffs.

X-factor: Yuniesky Betancourt, SS. The 29-year-old short stop was an afterthought in the trade that netted the Grienke, but he'll take on an important role as the Brewers' Opening Day starter at the most important defensive position. His much maligned defense will be highly scrutinized, but if he can be serviceable, his bat is a plus at the position.

Notable additions: Grienke, Betancourt, RHP Shaun Marcum, RHP Takashi Saito,

Notable subtractions: SS Alcides Escobar, OF Lorenzo Cain, RHP Dave Bush, RHP Trevor Hoffman

2) Cincinnati Reds
What to like: Status quo. The argument in favor of the Reds this season is that the roster that won the NL Central last season is largely in tact. A talented stable of starting pitchers led by Edinson Volquez and a phenomenal lineup led by reigning NL MVP Joey Votto should keep the Reds in the playoff hunt.

What not to like: The pitching staff is very young and lacks a true ace, for now. While the rest of the division (Brewers, Cubs, Astros) made significant off-season improvements, the Reds remained mostly stagnant.

Outlook: With almost the entire roster back from the 2010 team that was a surprise division winner, the Reds will contend for a playoff spot again -- and flame out in the first round if they get there.

Key player: Votto. The offense is the story in Cincinnati, and Votto is a huge part of it. He had a huge year last year, besting fellow NL Central first baseman Albert Pujols for the MVP. He is the key to the Reds continued success in 2011.

X-factor: Aroldis Chapman, LHP. The phenom with the legendary 105 MPH fastball will likely start the season in the bullpen (though at the rate Cincinnati's starters are dropping that might not be the case), but he should find himself either in the starting rotation or in the closer's role (if Francisco Cordero's struggles continue) by mid-season. It will be interesting to see if he can live up to the hype.

Notable additions: SS Edgar Renteria, OF Jeremy Hermida

Notable subtractions: RHP Aaron Harang, SS Orlando Cabrera

3) St. Louis Cardinals
What to like: 1B Albert Pujols, the best hitter of his generation, still plays for the Cardinals, and with OF Matt Holliday still protecting him in the lineup, the Cards will always be a threat in the NL Central. Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia top a rotation otherwise filled with average talent, but pitching coach Dave Duncan has a history of turning coal into diamonds.

What not to like: Pujols' contract situation is hanging over the Cardinals like a dead weight, casting a heavy shadow over Busch Stadium. Losing RHP Adam Wainwright for the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery is a huge blow for the Cardinals pitching staff.

Outlook: With Wainwright, the Cardinals were set to duke it out with the Brewers and the Reds for the NL Central crown. Without him, Duncan will have to pull a couple more miracles out of his hat to keep the Cardinals from being relagated to third wheel status in the division.

Key player: Carpenter. With Wainwright out for the season, there will be even more pressure on Carpenter to carry the Cardinals pitching staff. After starting just a combined 4 games in 2007 and 2008, Carpenter has fully returned to the form that won him the Cy Young award in 2005. He'll have to keep that production up to keep the Cardinals afloat in 2011.

X-factor: Kyle McClellan, RHP. McClellan steps out of the bullpen and into the spot in the rotation that should have been filled by Wainwright. He's been a solid part of the Cardinals 'pen for three years, posting a career 3.23 ERA while averaging 73 innings pitched per year, but has never started a major league game.

Notable additions: OF Lance Berkman

Notable subtractions: None

4) Chicago Cubs
What to like: The Cubs made some late off-season improvements after watching the Brewers lock down the division's best rotation, raiding the Tampa Bay Rays for 1B Carlos Pena and RHP Matt Garza. If the starting rotation plays to their potential (a big if), they'll have a formidable staff of their own. Sophomore SS Starlin Castro is ready to be a star.

What not to like: They're still trotting out money vacuums like 3B Aramis Ramirez, OF Alfonso Soriano and RHP Carlos Zambrano on a regular basis, none of whom look like likely candidates for bounce-back years. Carlos Marmol's ears rival Dumbo's, and I really, really hate them.

Outlook: The Cubs are a talented ball club that has been underachieving for years. If they can cut that out and play to their abilities, they'll be a contender. Here's hoping they don't.

Key player: Castro. Long suffering Cubs fans have pinned their hopes to the 20-year-old rising star, and he did not disappoint in his rookie season. If he can continue to hit and start posting the speed numbers that he showed in the minors, he could be an anchor for a Cubs offense that finished 10^th in the NL last year in runs scored.

X-factor: Zambrano. The Cubs hot-headed one time ace came back with a vengeance last year after being demoted to the bullpen for a time, posting an 8-0 record with a 1.41 ERA in his last 10 starts. He’ll be 30 in June, but his penchant for throwing temper tantrums like a 5-year-old in the dugout is clearly having an effect on his game.

Notable additions: Pena, Garza, RHP Kerry Wood

Notable subtractions: 1B Xavier Nady

5) Houston Astros
What to like: The Astros surprised somewhat last year after the All-Star break, vaulting past the fading Cubs and nearly catching Milwaukee to finish fourth in the division. The staff is solid, especially if RHP Wandy Rodriguez can return to 2009 form. The outfield is a run producing machine with speedy Michael Bourn getting himself into scoring position for sluggers Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence.

What not to like: The Astros failed to keep pace with the improvements made by the Brewers and the Cubs, and could find themselves in a fight to stay out of the cellar if the Pirates’ minor league imports have success: their only major off-season acquisitions were has-been infielders Bill Hall and Clint Barmes. Outside of the top three or four hitters, the lineup is very mediocre. The rotation had a dream half-season after the All Star break, and I don’t expect them all to continue to pitch at the same level.

Outlook: Unless the Cubs experience another major letdown year (not entirely unlikely), the Astors will likely take a step back this year in the division race. Their rotation is good enough to keep them in games on a daily basis, but the offense won’t be able to produce enough runs for the Astros to make a serious run at the division title.

Key player: Lee. The Astros’ best offense talent is 34 now, and was a major disappointment in 2010, posting a batting average under .250 for the first time in his career. The three time All-Star hasn’t been to the mid-summer classic since 2007, and he’ll need to get that batting average back up to help the Astros compete is the improved NL Central.

X-factor: J.A. Happ. Happ got off to a fast start with the Phillies when he finished second in rookie of the year voting after a stellar year in 2009, and he was the centerpiece of the deal that sent LHP Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia last July. He started just 16 games last season between the Phillies and Astros after missing three months of the season due to an elbow injury, and he left a spring training start today after straining an oblique. His health and production will be important to the Astros success this season.

Notable additions: Hall, Barmes

Notable subtractions: INF Geoff Blum

6) Pittsburgh Pirates
What to like: The Pirates have an infusion of young talent from its farm system that has either recently arrived or is close to ready for the show. These young guns theoretically have the talent to finally put a stop to the Pirates’ epic 18-year losing season streak, though likely not before it reaches the two decade mark.

What not to like: They’re the Pirates, so pretty much everything. They appear to finally be headed in a positive direction, but that has been said before about this ballclub, and the prospects that are supposed to save the franchise tend to flame out, or get shipped out if they don’t.

Outlook: It’s going to be another long season for the black and yellow, but if the newest wave of prospects arrives as advertised, there could be reason for hope and, perhaps, even a fifth place finish.

Key player: Andrew McCutchen, OF. Last year’s Pirates representative in the All-Star game may have been the first in several years that would have made the roster even if the Pirates weren’t required to have someone there. He hit .286 with 16 home runs and 33 stolen bases in 2010, and became the leader of the Pirates offense. At 23-years-old, he should continue to develop into a true star.

X-factor: Pirates front office. The management in Pittsburgh has been drop-kicking any chances the team has had to become a contender for years by selling off the team’s best talent every July in a prospect-grabbing fire sale. The only way this team will ever climb out of the cellar is if the front office allows the young core to develop at the major league level together.

Notable additions: RHP Kevin Correia, 1B Lyle Overbay

Notable subtractions: LHP Zach Duke

2011 MLB Preview Part 2: AL East

Part two of this year's MLB preview brings us to the stupid strong AL East, where every single team is good enough to win any other division in baseball and 85 wins can easily land you in fourth place.

1) Boston Red Sox
What to like: One of the big league's best rosters got even stronger in the off-season with the high profile signings of OF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez. The lineup is fast, athletic and filled with excellent defensive talent. Anyone in the starting rotation except Daisuke Matsuzaka is capable of winning the American League Cy Young.

What not to like: Daisuke Matsuzaka. And Boston sports fans.

Outlook: The Red Sox look great on paper, but it remains to be seen how the pieces fit together on the field. Right now, they look like the favorites for the AL East and for the World Series.

Key Player: Crawford and Gonzalez. The two headline newcomers immediately become threats 1 and 1A in a lineup that was already potent without them.

X-factor: Josh Beckett, RHP. Boston's ace has disappointed somewhat since his remarkable run in 2007, when he led the league in wins, finished second in the Cy Young voting and won the ALCS MVP. He was 6-6 with an ERA approaching six during an injury plagued campaign last year. If he can regain 2007 form, or even the form from his All-Star season in 2009, the Red Sox could be looking at a deep postseason run.

Notable additions: Crawford, Gonzalez, RHP Bobby Jenks

Notable subtractions: 3B Adrian Beltre, C Victor Martinez

2) Tampa Bay Rays
What to like: Despite heavy losses in the off-season, the Rays still have a great young core of superstars in 3B Evan Longoria, LHP David Price and OF B.J. Upton. They also have one of the best farm systems in baseball, filled with prospects like up-and-coming fireballer Jeremy Hellickson, so while their losses have been significant, they're already starting to reload.

What not to like: The losses of OF Carl Crawford (to the division rival Red Sox, no less), 1B Carlos Pena and CL Rafael Soriano will hurt the Rays this year, and they'll have to turn to several young, unproven players to fill those voids. As a team, Tampa Bay hit just .247 last year, and the talent level in the lineup certainly hasn't increased any over the off-season.

Outlook: This season could go in many directions for the Rays this year. In the toughest division in baseball, its tough to see the rebuilding Rays not taking at least a small step backward, but the talent is still there for the Rays to make a push for the playoffs.

Key player: Price. The Rays young ace was outstanding in 2010, notching 19 wins and a 2.72 ERA while finishing second in Cy Young voting. If Tampa Bay expects to contend again in 2011, he'll have to be as good, if not better, this year. The bar has been set high, but I don't expect to see anything less from the lefty.

X-factor: Manny Ramirez, OF. The future Hall of Famer, and one of the best right-handed hitters of all time, has caught on with the Rays as a DH in the twilight of his career. If he can produce - and keep his ego in check - he can help offset the loss of Crawford.

Notable additions: Ramirez, OF Johnny Damon, RHP Kyle Farnsworth

Notable subtractions: Crawford, Pena, Soriano, SS Jason Bartlett, RHP Matt Garza

3) New York Yankees
What to like: The shutdown back end of the Yankees bullpen just got even tougher with the addition of Tampa Bay's All-Star closer Rafael Soriano in a set up role for Mariano Rivera. If you intend to beat the Yankees, you better get it done in seven innings. The all-world infield is still in tact with the signing of Derek Jeter, and those pinstriped uniforms still look outstanding, no matter how you personally feel about the Yankees.

What not to like: It's hard to imagine that the Yankees ' starting rotation could ever look this ugly given their seemingly limitless resources. C.C. Sabathia is still a stud, Phil Hughes is serviceable, but the rest of the staff is in shambles. A.J. Burnett has been a disaster since being acquired from Toronto two years ago, and the rest of rotation will be filled out from a list of unknowns and has-beens.

Outlook: A great lineup and an outstanding bullpen can only take you so far when the starting rotation is in as bad a shape as New York's is. That is, until mid-season, when the Yankees gut the cellar-dwellers of their top talent to shore up their weakness. The question is whether they'll be able to hang around in the playoff hunt until then.

Key Player: Jeter. Mr. Yankee's batting average was under .300 in 2010 for the first time since 2004, and at .270, was the lowest in his 15-year career. He'll need to have a resurgence after signing his 3 year, $51 million contract in the off-season if the Yankees want to contend in the cut-throat AL East.

X-factor: Burnett. The former Blue Jay has largely disappointed in New York, especially after tallying 15 losses and a 5.26 ERA last summer. If he can recover even some of the form that prompted the Yankees to sign him to a big contract two years ago, it will go a long way toward keeping the Yankees alive in the playoff race.

Notable additions: Soriano, C Russell Martin

Notable subtractions: LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Javier Vasquez

4) Baltimore Orioles
What to like: The Orioles appear to finally be headed in the right direction, making several off-season moves to compliment their newly arrived batch of prospects. Baltimore went out and signed a trio of big boppers in OF Vladimir Guerrero, 1B Derrick Lee and 3B Mark Reynolds. Together with holdovers like 2B Brian Roberts and OF Nick Markakis and young stars like C Matt Wieters and OF Adam Jones, the Orioles would have one of the best lineups in their division if they weren't stuck in the AL East.

What not to like: While the young staff has the potential to be great, they're young, inexperienced and unproven. They'll also play a combined 54 games against Boston, New York and Tampa Bay.

Outlook: There's a lot to like in Baltimore, but they're stuck in the wrong division to be thinking about a run at the playoffs. A .500 record will be tough to achieve when nearly a third of their games are against three of the league's best teams, but they might finally have the talent to climb out of the division cellar.

Key player: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP. The Orioles' 31-year-old ace leads a staff of talented but young pitchers who will look to Guthrie and fellow veteran Justin Durscherer to lead them. Guthrie will have to have a fantastic season to keep the Orioles afloat in the AL East.

X-factor: Wieters. The highly touted prospect took a step backward offensively last year after a promising debut in 2009. With a much improved lineup surrounding him, Wieters will be a popular breakout candidate again in 2011.

Notable additions: Lee, Guerrero, Reynolds, Durscherer, SS J.J. Hardy, CL Kevin Gregg

Notable subtractions: None

5)Toronto Blue Jays
What to like: The Blue Jays potent lineup clearly has a lot of pop, coming out of nowhere to lead the majors in home runs last year, even during a down year for two of their best hitters, 1B Adam Lind and 2B Aaron HIll. A trio of talented young pitchers in Brandon Morrow, Ricky Romero and Brandon Cecil are all primed for break out years in 2011.

What not to like: The loss of Vernon Wells hurts, as does the loss of staff ace Shaun Marcum. The lineup overachieved last year, and isn't likely to reproduce their gaudy numbers from last year.

Outlook: The Blue Jays don't have a significantly different look from the team that won 85 games last year, which in the highly active and highly competitive AL East, is part of the problem. They'll likely lose some ground in 2011 only because they failed to keep up with the improvement made by other teams in the division.

Key player: Jose Bautista, 3B. Bautista came out of nowhere in 2010 to lead the major leagues in home runs with 54, nearly as many as he hit during the first six years of his career combined. Putting the obvious suspicions that kind of power outburst incurs aside, the Blue Jays will need Bautista to stay at or near the production levels he showed in 2010, rather than regressing to 2009 levels, when he was merely serviceable.

X-factor: Romero. With Brandon Morrow set to start the season on the DL, Romero becomes the de facto ace of the staff, and expectations will be high after a solid 2010 campaign. The 26-year-old will need to continue to improve if the Blue Jays want to avoid finishing last in the East.

Notable additions: OF Rajai Davis, RHP Octavio Dotel, RHP Chad Cordero, C Mike Napoli

Notable subtractions: Marcum, Wells

2011 MLB Preview Part 1: NL East

Here comes part one of an (at least) seven part preview of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, which will bring us right up to Opening Day. We'll start today in the National League East.

1) Philadelphia Phillies
What to like: You can start with a starting rotation that contains three potential Hall of Famers (Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee) and a World Series MVP (Cole Hamels). It just might be the greatest rotation of all time. If pitching is not your thing, then you can take an infield with a combined 12 All-Star selections which anchors a lineup that finished second in the league in runs scored last year.

What not to like: The middle of the lineup could struggle against left-handers after the departure of outfielder Jayson Werth (we'll visit him and his albatross contract later). And the Phillie Phanatic is the most obnoxious-looking mascot in professional sports.

Outlook: With the best pitching staff in baseball and a murderers row in the middle of the lineup, the Phillies are the favorites in the National League to reach the World Series.

Key player: Halladay. As Doc goes, so go the Phillies. The most dominant (clean) pitcher of his generation, Halladay gives the Phillies the ability to throw a W on the board like clockwork every five days.

X-factor: Chase Utley, 2B. Utley's knee has been one of Spring Training's biggest stories, and also one of its greatest mysteries. Luis Castillo, recently cut by the Mets, has been signed in case Utley misses significant time. The second baseman's health (or lack thereof) is the biggest question mark for the early World Series favorites.

Notable additions: Lee

Notable subtractions: Werth

2) Atlanta Braves
What to like: The Braves starting rotation, led by rising star Tommy Hanson and veterans Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson, is the best the team has had since the turn-of-the-century Braves that boasted Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. Sophomore outfielder Jason Heyward, who finished second in Rookie of the Year voting last year, is ready to make the leap to superstardom and, with the help of newly acquired Dan Uggla, will bolster the new look middle of the lineup for the Braves.

What not to like: Chipper Jones turns 39 in April, and his production has been declining steadily for years, so the Braves will need to find someone else to make their lineup tick. Hudson and Jurrjens have been two of baseball's luckiest pitchers the last two years in terms of BABIP (batting average on balls in play), and their production may take an unpleasant turn toward normalcy. They also lost two keys to their bullpen in Takashi Saito and Billy Wagner.

Outlook: With the East's best pitching staff outside of Pennsylvania, the Braves are primed to compete for 90 wins and the NL wild card.

Key player: Hanson and Heyward. The Braves two blue-chip prospects are rookies no more, and they must now take their places as leaders of the pitching staff and lineup, respectively. If these two experience even the modest improvement expected of most MLB rookies, the Braves will be a force to be reckoned with for years.

X-factor: Nate McLouth, CF. The 2008 All-Star selection was a huge disappointment in 2010, batting .190 with an on-base percentage under .300 and just 24 RBI. Acquired in a trade with the Pirates in the middle of 2009, the Braves hope to see some improvement from their center fielder in 2011.

Notable additions: Uggla, LHP George Sherrill

Notable subtractions: Wagner, Saito, 1B Derrick Lee, INF Omar Infante

3) Florida Marlins
What to like: Starting pitcher Josh Johnson is a bona fide ace, having posted the National League's lowest ERA last season (2.30). He leads a staff loaded with talent who have underperformed in recent years, but each has shown potential to be an above average pitcher in the big leagues. The Marlins lineup, led by firecracker Hanley Ramirez, is young and talented, and has potential for improvement.

What not to like: Aside from Johnson, the starting five is filled with pitchers whose best years may be behind them: Javier Vasquez had a disastrous year in New York while Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez both took significant steps backward after early career success. The lineup is led by Ramirez, whose character has come into question since signing a six-year, $70 million deal in 2009, and is young and inexperienced, so it may experience some growing pains.

Outlook: The Marlins are young and have talent, but they're likely a couple years away from catching the Phillies and Braves and competing for a playoff spot. They'll have to settle for being the best of the rest in the NL East.

Key player: Ramirez. The Marlins young superstar is one of the best shortstops in baseball and has shown a flair for the dramatic. Unfortunately, it seems his favorite kind of drama is the kind that causes problems in the dugoout. He is a dynamite hitter and an above average talent in the field, but the Marlins need him to take on a bigger role as a leader in the clubhouse.

X-factor: Nolasco, Sanchez and Vasquez. The middle of the Marlins rotation is the key to their success this season. If any or all of them can regain the form they've shown earlier in their careers, the Marlins could compete for the wild card. If not, they'll be competing to stay out of the NL East cellar.

Notable additions: Vasquez, C John Buck, INF Omar Infante

Notable subtractions: Uggla

4) New York Mets
What to like: On paper, the Mets have one of the National League's most potent lineups, especially if this was 2008. Big bats like 3B David Wright, OF Jason Bay, SS Jose Reyes and OF Carlos Beltran can't possibly be as bad as they were last year again. They've also dispatched with Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, two of former GM Omar Minaya's most egregious contracts.

What not to like: They still owe Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez over $15 million combined, so if the lineup isn't able to return to its former glory, they don't have the money to sign help; unfortunately, the lineup has more question marks than the Riddler's outfit. The underwhelming starting rotation, apart from injured Johan Santana, is filled with average talent and lacks a true ace without Santana.

Outlook: Unless the lineup shows dramatic improvement over last year, when they were 13th in the league in runs scored, its going to be a long summer for fans of New York's other baseball club. While the rest of the division seems to be taking big leaps forward, the Mets are trending down.

Key player: Reyes and Wright. Both Wright and Reyes snapped back from down/injury-plagued years in 2009 to have great years in 2010. There is absolutely zero room for regression for these two if the Mets want to compete this year.

X-factor: Santana. The Mets ace is out until at least late June as he recovers from shoulder surgery, and his status for returning at all this season is up in the air. If he can return, and in the same form as he was when he was winning Cy Youngs in Minnesota, he can be a big boost for this club.

Notable additions: LHP Chris Capuano

Notable subtractions: Castillo

5) Washington Nationals
What to like: The Nationals off-season acquisition of Jayson Werth, as well as their pursuit of Cliff Lee, shows that the brass in Washington is committed to putting a winning product on the field. A young core that includes 3B Ryan Zimmerman, OF Nyger Morgan and a host of prospects shows promise for the future.

What not to like: The preposterous money the Nationals threw at Werth (7 years, $126 million) will put Washington in a hole financially as they try to finally climb out of the NL East cellar. It isn't 2013 yet. Steven Strasburg is drawing a lot of horrifying comparisons to Mark Pryor, and Bryce Harper's face paint make him look like an idiot.

Outlook: The future is very bright for the Nationals, but with the injured Strasburg likely to miss the entire season and Bryce Harper still a year or two from making an impact on the big league squad, Washington fans will have to wait a couple more years before the Nats are contenders.


Key player: Werth. It is imperative on the Nats biggest off-season acquisition to prove the Nationals didn't grossly overpay for him. If he can maintain the level of play he displayed in Philadelphia, perhaps he can prove the Nationals only overpaid a little bit for the one-time All-Star.

X-Factor: Strasburg. If he can return to the big league club at all this season (and avoid a setback or another injury), it will be a huge relief to a fan base that had its heart ripped out by the chosen one's roaring start followed by his devastating injury.

Notable additions: Werth, 1B Adam LaRoche, OF Rick Ankiel

Notable subtractions: 1B Adam Dunn, OF Josh WIllingham, 2B Adam Kennedy

Re-Seeding the Sweet 16

As we head to the second weekend of the world's greatest sporting event, I take a few minutes to re-seed the bracket after 68 was whittled to 16.

1) Ohio State (East #1)- The preseason favorites became the tournament favorites in March, and their blowout wins against UT-San Antonio and George Mason have solidified their standing as the team to beat. Its hard to see the Buckeyes losing unless Jared Sullinger finds himself in early foul trouble and the rest of the team goes cold from outside. Predicition: National Champions

2) Kansas (Southwest #1)- The Jayhawks let both Boston U and Illinois hang around for 30 minutes before the Morris twins put them away. The only top seed the survive the bracket breakdown in the Southwest, the Jayhawks won't have to face a team seeded higher than 10th until the Final Four. Prediction: Loss to Ohio State in National Championship game

3) Connecticut (West #3)- The Huskies put Bucknell down quickly, then cruised to victory over Big East rival Cincinnati. Kemba Walker has shown no sign of fatigue after his record breaking performance in the Big East tournament, and looks primed to lead a team that tied for ninth in the Big East (with Marquette, the conference's only other representative in the Sweet 16) back to the Final Four. Prediction: Loss to Ohio State in the Final Four

4) Duke (West #1)- Duke barely escaped a second round match-up with 13-loss Michigan after dispatching Hampton in the first round. However, recently recovered point guard Kyrie Irving gets another couple days of practice before the Blue Devils go to Anaheim and if he's ready to return to early season form, Duke could be hard to stop. Prediction: Loss to Connecticut in regional final

5) North Carolina (East #2)- The Tar Heels squeaked past Washington after a turnover-filled win over Long Island. They can obviously score, but they likely don't have the defense needed to get past Ohio State, if they get that far. Prediction: Loss to Ohio State in regional final

6) Wisconsin (Southeast #4)- The Badgers ran away from chic upset pick Belmont in the first round and then survived a career day from Kansas St. star Jacob Pullen to get back to the Sweet 16. They look like the class of a weak region, but they'll need better shooting from Jordan Taylor to get past battle-tested Butler and the Jimmer. Prediction: Loss to Kansas in Final Four

7) San Diego State (West #2)- The Aztecs have something to prove after they struggled to get past Temple in two overtimes in he second round and letting 15-seed Northern Colorado hang around for 25 minutes. They'll have to find a way to limit Kemba Walker's touches in Anaheim if they want to secure the school's third NCAA tournament win. Prediction: Loss to Connecticut in Sweet 16

8) Brigham Young (Southeast #3)- The Cougars appear to finally be adapting to life without Brandon Davies, stopping Wofford in round one and then slapping down popular upset pick Gonzaga in round two. They will go exactly as far as Jimmer Fredette can take them- if he's hot, no one will be able to stop them. Prediction: Loss to Wisconsin in regional final

9) Kentucky (East #4)- The Wildcats scraped out a couple of nail-biters against Princeton and West Virginia, led by freshman phenom Brandon Knight. Their reward for their hard-fought victories? A date with Ohio State in Newark. There will be plenty of NBA ready talent on display on both benches, but young Wildcats will have a tough time stopping the senior-laden Buckeyes. Prediction: Loss to Ohio State in Sweet 16

10) Florida (Southeast #2)- The criminally over-seeded Gators cruised past UC-Santa Barbara before burying UCLA in round two. Billy Donovan's squad will have its hands full in the Sweet 16, however, in trying to stop Fredette. Prediction: Jimmered in the Sweet 16

11) Marquette (East #11)- There's been plenty of talk that the Big East may not have deserved 11 bids with only two teams from the league advancing to the second weekend. But it's tough to argue that when the last of those bids went to the Golden Eagles, who crushed Xavier before out-hustling Big East rival Syracuse to secure their spot in the Sweet 16. If they can make shots, the Golden Eagles have the talent to beat just about anyone. Prediction: Loss to North Carolina in the Sweet 16

12) Butler (Southeast #8)- Last year's tournament darlings are at it again, with photo finishes over Old Dominion and top-seeded Pittsburgh. They may not have the talent to match-up with their opponents, but its clear their experience and leadership is giving them an edge against bigger, faster and stronger foes. Prediction: Loss to Wisconsin in Sweet 16

13) Arizona (West #5)- The Wildcats have advanced after scraping past Memphis and Texas in rounds one and two. They find themselves now in a match-up of blue bloods against Duke, and they'll need to find a way to stop Nolan Smith if they want to have any chance of advancing further. Prediction: Loss to Duke in Sweet 16

14) Florida State (Southwest #10)- Where did Florida State come from? The unheralded Seminoles were an at-large after thought, not on the bubble but not expected to make any noise. But after upsetting Texas A&M and then putting the Big East on notice with a rout of Notre Dame, the Seminoles are mighty noisy. Prediction: Loss to Kansas in regional final

15) Richmond (Southwest #12)- The A-10 tournament champions saved the conference after Xavier was upset by Marquette and Temple dropped a heart-breaker to SDSU. The Spiders held on late for this year's classic 5-12 upset over Vanderbilt, then breezed past fellow giant killer Morehead State. Next up: Kansas. Good luck. Prediction: Loss to Kansas in Sweet 16

16) VCU (Southwest #11)- Its difficult to imagine a more emphatic way that the Rams could have shut up the haters that said they didn't belong in the tournament: a 13-point win over fellow 11-seed USC, followed by a pair of 18-point smack-downs over Georgetown and Purdue. The snubbed teams that hated? Virginia Tech was ousted in the second round of the NIT, and St. Mary's was one and done. Prediction: Loss to Florida State in Sweet 16