The lockout is over, some fans are jaded, but I remain undeterred:
*notes wild card
NL EAST
1. Braves. Outstanding bullpen/bolstered by Jansen; can they/win with Acuna?
2. Mets. Are they stockpiling/or just burning money? Not/a believer yet.
3. Phillies. Everyone in the/batting order could DH/too bad they can’t field.
4. Nationals. A healthy Strasburg/could boost new-look squad; Soto/show isn’t enough.
5. Marlins. “Finish the rebuild!”/Jeter cries from afar; too/bad these fish swim slow.
NL CENTRAL
1. Brewers. Stud rotation won’t/throw cheese; Renfroe might hunt for/good power numbers.
2. Cardinals*. Yadi, Waino, and/Pujols– did I wake up in/2006? (Old.)
3. Cubs. Wisdom and Schwindel/will make them watchable; new/lovable losers.
4. Reds. Queen City rebuild/young bats surround Votto, but/injuries might mount.
5. Pirates. Despite "tank for Hank"/these Bucs still suck; title drought/enters middle age.
NL WEST
1. Dodgers. Big Blue, deep pockets/too bad Crypto won't buy you/good middle relief.
Giants*. Posey grew so Bart/could flower; injuries will/expose lack of depth.
3. Padres*. Melvin diffuses/clubhouse drama; they just need/one more outfielder.
4. Rockies. Kris Bryant, tentpole/for an otherwise bad team/Bud Black, sitting duck?
5. D-Backs. The Marte deal would/suggest no rebuild, but where/are the Snakes going?
AL EAST
Yankees. Unvaxxed in pinstripes/they're a contender again?/Believe the science.
Rays*. Wander-ing to a/wild card; quietly, some/well-rounded SPs.
3. Blue Jays. Upside up north; fun/team surpassed by big spenders/and deeper benches.
4. Red Sox. Looking at pitching/alone, can they ask Pedro/to unretire?
5. Orioles. Mullins and Means are/swarmed by prospects; think playoffs/around ‘26.
AL CENTRAL
1. White Sox. Enough talent for/another first round exit/a Grave(man) concern.
2. Twins. Exiled Yanks and/Correa balance out bats/that swing for power.
3. Royals. Whit and Witt, those boys/can hit; grumpy Greinke, old/man leads young pitching.
4. Guardians. New name, weaker team/time to trade their third baseman?/”Uh… no way, Jose!”
5. Tigers. Handsome Javy, the/joy of six; Miggy hands him/superstar baton.
AL WEST
1. Astros. Welcome back, JV/lack of shortstop overcome/by talent surplus.
2. Mariners*. Ty France, si vous plais/playoffs, no ring but fans cry/”He went to Jarred!”
3. Angels*. Thor shipped his hammer/to Buena Park; Ohtani/gets his playoff nudge.
4. Rangers. Unproven pitching/hinders outfield surplus and/Seager’s arrival.
5. A’s. Walmart wonders, yet/again; Cristian Pache must/sashay the offense.
AL MVP: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
NL MVP: Juan Soto, Nationals
AL Cy Young: Shane Bieber, Guardians
NL Cy Young: Corbin Burnes, Brewers
AL Rookie of the Year: Bobby Witt Jr, Royals
NL Rookie of the Year: CJ Abrams, Padres
First Manager Fired: Brandon Hyde, Orioles
2022 World Series: Dodgers over Yankees in 6
