SmoothRT Ball Prospectus

This is going to be a very condensed version of my MLB 07 predictions. No rambling this time, just my projected team rankings with one remark.

NL East

1. New York Mets
Still the best outfield in baseball.
2. Atlanta Braves
You heard it here first: Scott Thorman for ROY. Wild card winner this time.
3. Florida Marlins
Young stars still a year away from greatness.
4. Washington Nationals
Terrible pitching, but offense not as bad as everyone believes.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Howard regresses a little and proves he was overrated.

NL Central

1. Milwaukee Brewers
A great young lineup and healthy Ben Sheets are able to win the pennant.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
Their pitching has some holes, but Pujols continues to dominate.
3. Houston Astros
They won't get Clemens back this time, and the end of their rotation sucks.
3. Chicago Cubs
They spent money, but their starters and closer are still miserable as usual.
5. Cincinnati Reds
Injuries plague this promising team full of players past their prime.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
They are rebuilding, Duke and Torres do well, and in two years they will compete.

NL West

1. Colorado Rockies
Well-balanced team sneaks in a very tight and tolling race.
2. San Francisco Giants
Good young pitching performs, aging lineup just gets by to make them a decent team.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Another injury-plagued team doesn't have the luxury of developing young talent.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
The all underachiever team: Webb, Johnson, Byrnes, Tracy, the list goes on.
5. San Diego Padres.
The pitching staff suffers injuries, and the deep infield can't make up for it.

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox
Matsuzaka is for real, and Manny is still Manny to lead them back to the playoffs.
2. New York Yankees
They overpay for a half-season Clemens, and A-Rod and Jeter remain overrated.
3. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Kazmir is awesome, and Crawford becomes one of the elite hitters in the league.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
The bullpen is atrocious, the outfield disappoints, but at least AJ stays healthy.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Anybody who has value will be traded before the season starts next year.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Indians
They're ready, they'll be the best all-around team in baseball, and win the W.S.
2. Detroit Tigers
Leyland is going to lead this team to the wild card, and they'll exit early.
3. Minnesota Twins
Hunter leads a great outfield, and Johan's great, but this division is too strong.
3. White Sox
You will keep hearing, "...as the White Sox try to rekindle their 2005 magic..."
5. Kansas City Royals
Ryan Braun shows a lot of promise for his career, but he's the only one.

AL West

1. Oakland A's
Chavez is the comeback player of the year, but first-round exit from the playoffs.
2. Los Angeles Angels
The offense and pitching is well-balanced, but just not enough.
3. Texas Rangers
Injuries, setbacks, and clubhouse problems screw this team's season over.
4. Seattle Mariners
The team is still rebuilding, they're not terrible, except for the defense.

I'll have to post about my fantasy team and the books I've been reading another time. It's the best day in sports today, it's great to have baseball back.