based on what they have right now and what they need to do

Giants:

Offense:

Last year. Were second in the NL in runs scored, only five below the Cards

This year Everyone is currently on the team, but everyone is a year older. It all comes down to whether or not Barry continues to dominate. However, any aging could be offset by the signing of one really good bat.

Defense:

Last year: It sucked

This year: We need to promote Torrealba to starter and get a good defensive SS, and we'll be fine. But right now, it needs improvement

 

Rotation:

Last year: Schmidt was the best in baseball when he was healthy. Tomko came on strong at the end last year. Rueter is over the hill. Lowry was a stud. Williams continued to develop, Hermanson pitched OK when he started

This Year: If Schmidt can stay healthy, he will win the Cy Young. Look for Tomko to pitch like he did in September. Rueter needs to go to the bullpen. Williams, Lowry, and a healthy Jesse Foppert will continue to develop into three great pitchers.

Bullpen:

Last year: GARBAGE. No closer, weak middle relief

This year: incomplete. We need a proven closer and some reliable middle relievers, plain and simple. Get rid of everyone except for Tyler Walker, Scott Eyre, and I guess we're stuck with Matt HErges. Move Woody to the bullpen.

 

Who they should pick up: Moises Alou, if he signs a family discount. If not, JD Drew or Magglio Ordonez; Omar Visquel or Orlando Cabrera; Troy Percival; a couple really good middle relievers

Who they should trade: Edgardo Alfonzo, AJ Pierzynski, Michael Tucker

Cardinals:

 

Offense (Amazing):

WOW, that's all there is to say about this lineup

1) Tony Womack 2b (Free Agent; could return but if not Hector Luna may take over)

2) Admin Walker RF (It would be nice seeing him healthy a full year, because he did good once he came over to the Cards)

3) Albert Pujols 1b (MVP Candidate; nuff said)

4) Scott Rolen 3b (Can Scott have back to back MVP seasons? Who knows?)

5) Jim Edmonds CF (The hottest of hitters when he's in a zone; the coldest of hitters when he's not in a zone. Always capable of a .300, 30 homer, 100 rbi season though)

6) Edgar Renteria SS (He had somewhat of a down year but he's still good; may not be back but he's the Cardinals #1 priority but if he doesnt return look for Orlando Cabrera or Cristian Guzman in St. Lou)

7) Reggie Sanders LF (Strikeout hitter, Homerun hitter; will give you a 20-20 season at least)

8) Mike Matheny C (Mike is a great hitter to start the year but all that wear and tear on the legs behind the plate shows, he slows down hitting and by the end of the year at best he'll have a .250 avg, 4 homer, 48 rbi. Had 50 rbi's this year (Career High). If he doesnt come back I, Yadier Molina will take over. Still not the best of hitters but he's still young)

 

Chance to be back: Edgar Renteria, Mike Matheny

May not be back but a chance: Tony Womack

Potential Cardinals (Interested in): Orlando Cabrera, Cristian Guzman, Placido Polanco, Jeff Kent

 

Defense (Outstanding):

We know the stories with Rolen, Edmonds, Walker, Matheny, and Renteria.. but there's something I wanna say right now.. Albert Pujols is gonna be a great 1st baseball defensively. Even if the Cards lose Renteria and Matheny, they'll find a solid SS (Guzman or Cabrera) and have a great defensive catcher in Yadier Molina with a rocket of an arm. Womack isnt anything special defensively but he was alright. Luna could most likely fill in at 2b.. He'll be alright..

 

Starting Pitching (Suspect):

It's quite simple, they didnt have any dominant pitchers that can strike out anyone. Cardinals went on guts, luck, and groundball pitchers. Carpenter surprised many but his injury at the end of the year cost the Cardinals perhaps that WS Ring. Morris was alright this year but his time has passed. Woody Williams is getting up in age and nearing retirement, but he had a solid year. His year really didnt start until May when he turned it on. Woody has been amazing as a Cardinal and I appreciate his effort. Suppan just happened to have a career year. The funny thing is, he couldnt win at Busch at couldnt lose on the road. Marquis, a sinkerball pitcher (Atlanta didnt let him use it), excelled this year with his sinker and the amazing defense behind him. Marquis is a young arm but I dont know if he can repeat another year like what he had in his career. Dan Haren and Rick Ankiel are contenders to start next year.

 

Probably Wont Be Back: Matt Morris

Chance To Be Back: Woody Williams

Potential Cardinals (Interested in): Randy Johnson (Trade), Carl Pavano, Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Matt Clement, Kevin Millwood, David Wells

 

Bullpen (Improved):

What a difference a year makes. Kiko Calero wasnt a surprise to anyone, he gets the job done almost every time he's out there. Jason Isringhausen may not be a Keith Foulke, Mariano Rivera, John Smoltz, or Brad Lidge but he usually gets the job done. Cardinals had 2 great lefties in the pen (King, Kline). King had an outstanding year as did Kline. Rick Ankiel also made his comeback and did a fairly good job (He got rocked in Colorado but who doesnt?). Julian Tavarez was greatness all year.. Wow I cant believe I said that.. There wasnt any weak spot in our bullpen this year.. Heck Mike Lincoln pitched great in April until he got hurt and LaRussa overused him. Even Cal Eldred was solid but someone who reminded me of Matt Morris in the bullpen always allowing homers.

 

Probably Wont be back: Steve Kline and Cal Eldred

Chance to be back: Rick Ankiel and Mike Lincoln

Chance to be called back up: Al Reyes and Carmen Cali

 

Overall: This team has another shot at a WS appereance if they keep the offense together, and sign a dominant pitcher. Quite simple this next club probably wont get 105 wins or so but they could win the NL Central once again or be the NL Wild Card and advance to the NLCS with a shot at the WS.

 

I could have explained a lot more but this was just a quick summary of this Cardinals team and what to expect.

Nationals/Grays/Senators/Delegates

 

The Expos had very competitive clubs in the Vlad-years winning 83 games in 2002 and 2003. With no depth to deal with preseason injuries they dug themselves a huge hole in the first half. They showed great improvement after leaving Puerto Rico and found themselves loaded with young talent by the end of the year. This is the year they finally have a chance to add to that great talent.

 

Catcher: Mike Barrett was a highly touted prospect who never accomplished much with the Expos. The year after he left the club he exploded with the Cubs. His replacement Brian Schnieder is nothing to write home about. The player representative is solid defensively.

 

Infield: Jose Vidro is a former All-Star (a true All-Star, not one of those injury-replacement All-Stars) with a good glove and stick. He recently signed a four-year extension. GM OMar Minaya also tried to re-sign Orlando Cabrera, but he refused and was traded. His replacement, Macier Izturis did well in AAA and was used in a platoon role with Brendan Harris late in the year. I doubt Frank Robinson will platoon the shortstop position again. Thirdbaseman Tony Batista is a slugger who can't hit. Hopefully he'll be replaced by a Placindo Polanco or Troy Glaus. Many doubt that the franchise will be allowed to bid on high-profile free agents. If true, there's always Jamey Carroll, a 30-year old non-prospect who has posted .279/.350/.370 over the past three seasons and deserving of more playing time.

 

1B/OF: Nick Johnson and Brad Wilkerson are the team's best hitters, err batters with great plate discipline and pop. Wilkerson was the team's regular centerfielder before moving to first base when Johnson went down to injury in the spring. Juan Rivera stepped up huge and hit .300 as the team's starting rightfielder. If Termel Sledge is a slugger who can't hit and Endy Chavez is a speedster that can't hit. Flip a slighted weighted coin and Sledge enters as the favorite to win the leftfield job. There's not much after that so they might want to add a good bat or Brady Anderson!

 

Starting pitching: Livan Hernandez is strong #2 or #3 starter for most teams. Good for 7, 8, 9 innings every fifth day, the man is so durable and consistent he could probably go on 3 days rest or throw 300 innings if needed. The rotation is filled out with a lot of pojects who have been rushed to the majors, thrown to the lions and may never reover. I'm mainly talking about Tony Armas and former Marlins prospect Claudio Vargas. However Zack Day, a groundball pitcher, saw his numbers drop off before eventually landing on the DL.

 

Bullpen: There's some talent there and can do some great things if utilized well, but it's not the mythical bullpen containing Mariano Rivera, Armando Benitez, Trevor Hoffman, Eric Gagne and Billy Wagner and shuts down the opponent every night that every fan likes to compare their team's relief corps too. Chad Cordero is the closer with Luis Ayala playing the role of stopper. Rocky Biddle was released after falling off terribly from a 107 ERA+ season in 2003. Jon Rauch was impressive after landing from the White Sox in the Carl Everett deal. Righthander T. J. Tucker is very solid in middle or long relief. Jim Bowden is expected to add a veteran to the mix.

Boston Red Sox -

 

I have no idea what this team is gonna end up looking like.