2008 Major League Baseball Preview

Spring Training is underway and the A's and Red Sox will open the season at Tokyo in less than three weeks. I couldn't think of a better time to start my 2008 Major Leaugue Baseball season preview.

Before I take a look at the upcoming 2008 season it's important to take a look back at the 2007 season as many important trends took place last season that are expected to carry on in 2008 and beyond. The success of the Colorado Rockies last season is important in the sense that it shows that teams don't have to sign overpriced free agents to be competitive in the current landscape of MLB. The Rockies were so successfull because they were able to develop their farm system as Matt Holliday, and Garrett Atkins were essential contributors to the success of the team.

The Rockies starting staff also was aided by their homegrown talent, Jeff Francis finally fulfilled the promise that had been expected of him years ago by becoming the ace of the staff. The team also was aided in September by Franklin Morales, and the contributions of Manuel Corpas who became the team's dominant closer after the All Star Break.

The Rockies weren't the only team that relied on it's farm system in 2008 as the Brewers were the story of the first half of the season by getting contributions from Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and JJ Hardy. This trend is likely to continue for many years, and is allowing the middle market teams to compete on equal footing with the Large Market clubs.

In 2007, just as in the many seasons before the American League was the dominant of the two leagues. The Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, and Tigers were perhaps four of the best five or six clubs in the Majors last season. The National League has taken it's fair share of beatings in the press as other then the Dodgers or the Mets the league typically stays quiet during the Free Agent signing period.

As we look forward to 2008 that trend is changing, thanks to the development of a lot of farm systems in the National League, and increased activity in the trade, or Free Agent market the National League should be much more competitive this year.

Parity in MLB was at an all time high last season as all four teams in the National League playoffs hadn't been there during the previous season, and three of the National League berths weren't decided until the final weekend. This trend should continue this year as all three divisions are up for grabs. The NL West might be the best, and most hotly contested division in baseball. The Diamonbacks are the incumbents despite getting swept by the Rockies last season. Arizona will be counting heavily on newly acquired Dan Haren to bolster the starting rotation that also features former Cy Young winners Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson.

The Rockies swept Arizona in the NLCS last season so we know what they are capable of. They will need to get repeat performances from their youngsters in the rotation, and will have to find a 2nd baseman to replace Kaz Matsui. It's hard for anyone to count out San Diego with Jake Peavy and Chris Young headlining the majors best pitching staff. The Dodgers might be the favorites this year, if Joe Torre decides it's time to use Juan Pierre as a fourth outfielder and give more at bats to Matt Kemp, and Andre Eithier.

The NL Central may be the only race in the NL that may come down to a two team race. The Cubs and Brewers had a great race during the 2nd half of last season, and this season looks to be much the same. The Cubs will be counting on Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome to provide a lift to their offense. The Brewers will hope to keep Ben Sheets healthy for an entire season, which has been a tall order in recent years. A dark horse to keep your eye on in this race will be the Reds, if they can get some at bats for their young prospects, and their young pitching comes around they could surprise people this year.

The NL East is a division that most people have handed to the Mets since they acquired Johan Santana from the Twins a month ago. I don't see them running away with this division, the Mets have a lot of age at some key positions, and may have already lost 1B Carlos Delgado for some time as he flew back to NY to get his hip checked.

The Atlanta Braves will be much improved this season as they will get a full season out of Mark Texeira, and made some nice acquisitions to their starting staff that I think will pay dividends for them throughout the season. The Phillies are the defending champs, and can't be taken lightly. They will need Brad Lidge to stay healthy, so they can keep Brett Myers in the starting rotation this year, as that was the main weakness of the Phillies last season. The Nationals will be an exciting team with the addition of Lastings Milledge and Elijiah Dukes, but they are at least one more season away from making a move. The Florida Marlins are probably at least two seasons away from making any kind of a dent in the standings, but they will be exciting as well with Maybin patrolling Center Field.

The American league won't be as wide open as the National league, but still will be as interesting as it will take at least 90 wins to make the playoffs.

The American league East has been dominated by the Yankees and Red Sox in years past, and things don't look to be any different this season. Both teams are doing it now with significiant contributions from their farm teams, as three fifths of their rotations could be handled by players in their first or second seasons.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been on the cusp of greatness in this division and if AJ Burnett and Roy Halladay stay healthy they can make some noise. This may be their last chance as Burnett is a free agent and the Yankees and Red Sox will only get stronger as their prospects mature.
Scott Rolen looks to give the Blue Jays better defense than Troy Glaus, and if he can stay healthy should be able to give them some nice pop at the plate as well.

The Rays may be the most exciting team in baseball and if things break right could contend as soon as this season. A lot of that will depend on the elbow of Scott Kazmir who has already had it checked out in Spring Training. The Rays are probably still a year away, but their farm system will keep this team above 80 wins for years to come.

The Orioles finally have some optimism now that they have traded away Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard. Fans will be treated to a full season of Adam Jones who will be one of the contenders for Rookie of The Year honors this season.

The AL Central will in all likelihood be a two team race between Cleveland and Detroit again this season. The Indians stood pat in the off-season and will need to hope Travis Haffner can rebound from a disappointing season to keep that lineup functioning again. The Tigers will need to find some answers in their bullpen as Zumaya and Rodney will probably not be ready for opening day. The lineup of the Tigers could be amongst the Majors best with the acquistion of Miguel Cabrera.

The Twins are in rebuilding mode now that they lost Johan Santana, but they do get Francisco Liriano back provided he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The White Sox made a nice move in acquiring Nick Swisher, but the starting rotation has too many question marks to consider them a contender going into the 2008 season. The Royals are continuing to make some nice moves, but they will have to wait at least one more season for their young pieces to develop.

The Al West should be dominated by the Los Angeles Angels, but the addition of Erik Bedard should keep Seattle in the conversation. The Angles made a splash by signing Torii Hunter to a five year deal, and he has gotten off to a great start in Spring Training for the team. The Angels also have one of the best rotations in the game, but will be without Kelvim Escobar for at least one month.

The Mariners have perhaps the best one two punch in their rotation with Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard. Their lineup is what concerns me, as they were too impatient last year, and are relying too much on a rebound season from Richie Sexson.

The Oakland A's are in rebuilding mode once again, as they unloaded Dan Haren and Nick Swisher during the off-season. It looks as if they acquired some top flight prospects in return, but won't be ready to contend until at least 2009.

The Texas Rangers also have some nice young talent in their organization, but don't have the pitching to remain in contention in 2008. They will be counting heavily on Josh Hamilton to put up similiar numbers that he posted for the Reds last season.

There is an overall view of the MLB landscape, I will be posting team previews throughout the month