The American League

Time for a look at the AL.

AL East

1. Tampa Bay Rays
This is the best team in the AL. They were in the World Series a year ago and get everyone important back -- they also added a solid right-handed power bat in Pat Burrell. They have very good starting pitching depth that will just get better when David Price gets called up from Triple-A. Tropicana Field also provides them with a very distinct home field advantage. Flat out the team to beat.

2. Boston Red Sox
Could definitely contend the division and a World Series appearance. I don't like the starting pitching as much as others but I will like it when John Smoltz joins the rotation -- I believe he will be the key to their season. The offense will have no problems scoring runs but they do need David Ortiz to be healthy and for MVP Dustin Pedroia to not take a big step back. They have good chemistry, a great manager and the best bullpen in baseball.

3. New York Yankees
New York could win 100 games or 85 -- I can't get a good grasp on them so I'll put them third. Right now the controversy stirred up by Alex Rodriguez and his steroid use hasn't seemed to be an issue. They really need his bat but it's age and starting pitching that could prove to be the team's achilles heel. Posada, A-Rod, Jeter, Damon, Matsui, Rivera -- all these guys are over the age of thirty and GM Brian Cashman does not have the young players to get to the playoffs if those guys show their age. CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett were added in the off-season but I don't think it will be enough. Burnett will get hurt, Wang is already struggling coming back from injury, Pettitte is another older player and to me -- Joba Chamberlain is not a 200 innings type of starter.

4. Toronto Blue Jays
They might finish last. They are really hurting for pitching with the season-ending injuries to Shawn Marcum and Dustin McGowan. Top prospect Travis Snider might be the youngest player in the entire league and has already hit three home runs this season -- he's the favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. This team goes as far as Roy Halladay can take it -- which is no better than 4th.

5. Baltimore Orioles
I only put them behind Toronto because they lack a starter like Halladay. They do have a very solid lineup and and it could be even better if Adam Jones progresses in his second season, Aubrey Huff hits close to what he did a season ago and uber-prospect Matt Wieters comes up and hits right away (which everyone expects to happen). Baltimore won't get past the top three but can definitely finish fourth and come close to an 80 win season.

AL Central

1. Chicago White Sox
This is not the best division in baseball by any means. The White Sox are on top because they have the potential to score a lot of runs. They are just like the Yankees though -- older players with not a ton of help in the minors. The rotation has some stability with guys like Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd, and I really like John Danks. The bullpen is solid with Bobby Jenks and Octavio Dotel but this team is definitely not a lock.

2. Minnesota Twins
I'd have them as the division winners if it weren't for injuries to Joe Mauer and Scott Baker -- their team leader and best pitcher. If Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young can do anything they will be just fine offensively. They should be one of the best defensive teams in the league as well. Joe Nathan is perfect at the end of games and Tampa is the only team with a comparable home field advantage. They compete every year and this year is no different -- it all depends on the injuries.

3. Cleveland Indians
I'd put them lower if I could but I'm not a believer in the Royals or Tigers either. I don't understand how anyone in the organization could be okay going into the season with such uncertainty in the starting rotation. Cliff Lee has to regress -- he pitched too well not to -- Fausto Carmona is coming off an injury, Carl Pavano probably shouldn't be in anyone's rotation, Scott Lewis has four career starts and is already on the DL and Anthony Reyes lost 14 games two years ago. This team is in trouble.

4. Kansas City Royals
I wouldn't be surprised if they were third or even second if the injuries remain in Minnesota. Gil Meche and Zack Greinke are definitely capable of carrying the pitching staff and Joakim Soria might be the "best" closer in baseball. I put that in quotes because he won't have the most saves, but might have the best stuff. I've never been a fan of Alex Gordon, but the season probably comes down to him and Billy Butler -- they need to make the "leap."

5. Detroit Tigers
And I thought the Indians rotation was bad -- at least Cleveland has a bullpen. There's really nothing to like here unless Armando Galarraga makes a big step forward. Justin Verlander seems to be regressing too quickly for someone who had so much promise and is still quite young -- Bonderman is on the DL and Dontrelle Willis is sad or something ridiculous like that. Jim Leyland probably won't be back next season.

AL West

1. Oakland Athletics
I'm disappointed in myself for not putting $20 on the A's to win the World Series at 45-1 the last time I was in Vegas. Billy Beane seems to be making one big run at the World Series. Matt Holiday, Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera were great additions for the offensive anemic from a year ago. The rotation is a question mark but I trust Billy Beane and the bullpen.

2. Anaheim Angels.
I'm not calling them by their "real" name -- it's too stupid. A month ago this was the team to beat but nothing is going right for them, and that includes the sad death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart just a few hours after throwing great. They really needed some pitching help and his loss made the team worse, not to mention the moral of everyone in the organization. Ervin Santana and John Lackey are on the DL, K-Rod and Teixeira are gone -- this ship could be going down fast -- and all for the wrong reasons.

3. Texas Rangers
Texas can hit with anyone in the league. Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz (maybe), Michael Young, Chris Davis (for Craig) etc. The problem has always been pitching and the answer is only 20 years old and not ready to come up yet -- Neftali Feliz. The pitching really isn't good enough to make any noise.

4. Seattle Mariners
Yawn. Nothing exciting here. Ichiro and not much else. It's almost as if they aren't even trying. Their big off-season moves were signing Ken Griffey, Jr., moving their best pitching prospect to the bullpen and sending their best hitting prospect down to the minors. At least they have a pretty stadium.