NL EAST:

#1. Philadelphia Phillies
Projected Record: 92-70
Pitching: The Phillies rotation is Cole Hamels and a lot of questions. Brett Myers is a head case that has the potential to be a solid #2 if he can limit the walks and homeruns. Joe Blanton is an inning eater at #3 and not much more. Jaime Moyer is 46 years old but will keep you in games. Kyle Kendrick is either really good or really bad; he needs to be more consistent. The pen is led by Brad Lidge. Coming off a career year, Lidge will have a hard time duplicating the dominance he showed in '08. The 50 game suspension of JC Romero will hurt. NL East Rank: #3

Offense: You know what you're going to get from Howard, Rollins, and Utley. The acquisition of Raul Ibanez should help quite a bit. Chase Utley should have a fantastic year now that he's healthy. The Phillies offense will be made or broken by Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. NL East Rank #1

Key Acquisition: Raul Ibanez/OF
Key Loss: Pat Burrell/OF
Breakout Player: Brett Myers/SP
Farm System Rank: #26
Top Prospects: Carlos Carrasco(RHP), Jason Donald(SS), Dominic Brown(OF)

#2. New York Mets
Projected Record: 88-74
Pitching: The health of Johan Santana is imperative to this Mets rotation being a success. Following Santana are a couple of really good proven starters in Oliver Perez and John Maine. The back end will be former super prospect Mike Pelfrey and journeyman Livan Hernandez. The bullpen was a liability in '08 for the Mets and in the offseason management sought to make it a strength; they succeeded. Omar Minaya added two of the top 10 closers in the game JJ Putz and saves king Francisco Rodriguez. NL East Rank: Tie #2

Offense: This lineup is stacked with versatility. Led by double threats Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran the Mets can beat you in so many ways with their offense. Slugger Carlos Delgado is back and looking like the old Delgado. The Mets will need solid seasons from OF's Daniel Murphy and Ryan Church. NL EAST Rank: #2

Key Acquisition: Francisco Rodriguez/CP
Key Loss: Endy Chavez/OF
Breakout Player: Daniel Murphy/OF
Farm System Rank: #15
Top Prospects: Fernando Martinez(OF), Brad Holt(RHP), Wilmer Flores(SS)

#3. Florida Marlins
Projected Record: 83-79
Pitching: The Marlins are stacked with young talent at the pitching position. The elder statesman Ricky Nolasco is all of 26 years old. Emerging Chris Volstad should be a solid #2 with oft-injured Josh Johnson at #3. Rounding out the starters are lefty flamethrower Andrew Miller and former Red Sox prospect Anibal Sanchez. The pen lost it's closer when they let Kevin Gregg go. Marlins brass is hoping the filthy stuff of Matt Lindstrom will fill in that role. NL EAST Rank:#1

Offense: Do it all SS Hanley Ramirez again leads the Marlins postseason hopes into '09. Helping out the MVP candidate are talented newcomers Cameron Maybin and Gaby Sanchez. Anchoring the middle of the order will be hit or miss 2B Dan Uggla and renewed 1B Jorge Cantu. The two wildcards are supremely talented Jeremy Hermida and powerful OF Cody Ross. I fear this lineup will have too many swings and misses to match the talented pitching staff in a postseason run. NL EAST Rank: #3

Key Acquisition: Leo Nunez/RP
Key Loss: Kevin Gregg/CP
Breakout Player: Cameron Maybin/OF
Farm System Rank: #1
Top Prospects: Kyle Skipworth(C), Sean West(LHP), Mike Stanton(OF)


#4. Atlanta Braves
Projected Record: 82-80
Pitching: The Braves have a nice mix of youth and experience. Added in the offseason were durable inning eaters Javier Vasquez and Derek Lowe. The Braves also brought back hall of famer Tom Glavine and signed talented Japanese righty Kenshin Kawakami. Rounding out the rotation is steady youngster Jair Jurrjens. Mega prospect Tommy Hanson is on speed dial if anyone falters. The bullpen will be led by Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, and Blaine Boyer. NL EAST Rank: Tie #2

Offense: Health fill be the major factor with this group. Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Garret Anderson, and Kelly Johnson lead this lineup that has the potential to be dynamic. The re-emergence of OF Jeff Francoeur and the play of Gregor Blanco/Casey Kotchman/Yunel Escobar will dictate the degree of success. NL EAST Rank: #4

Key Acquisition: Derek Lowe/SP
Key Loss: John Smoltz/Sp
Breakout Player: Gregor Blanco/OF
Farm System Rank: #6
Top Prospects: Tommy Hanson(RHP), Jordan Schafer(OF), Jason Heyward(OF)


#5. Washington Nationals
Projected Record: 59-103
Pitching: Lefties Scott Olsen and John Lannan lead this group of underwhelming arms. Oriole castoff Daniel Cabrera will likely be #3 with prospect Jordan Zimmerman and always injured Shaun Hill in the back end. The pen isn't much better. Closer Joel Hanrahan is a nice start but the group leading up to him is mostly journeymen and fringe prospects. NL EAST Rank:#5

Offense: After missing on Mark Teixiera, the Nats decided to go w/ hit or miss OF Adam Dunn. The offense does have some nice talent with Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Ryan Zimmerman leading the way. Nick Johnson needs to stay healthy and Christian Guzman needs to duplicate '08 for the Nats to have a prayer of staying under 100 losses. NL EAST Rank:#5

Key Acquisition: Adam Dunn/OF
Key Loss: Tim Redding/SP
Breakout Player: Elijah Dukes/OF
Farm System Rank: #20
Top Prospects: Jack McGeary(LHP), Ross Detwiler(LHP), Micheal Burgess(OF)


NL CENTRAL:

#1. St. Louis Cardinals
Projected Record: 90-72
Pitching: The success of the pitching staff largely depends on the health of former ace Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The Cards hope that Todd Wellemeyer, Kyle Lohse, and Joel Piniero can duplicate their '08 seasons. The bullpen is in good shape with either Chris Perez or Jason Motte closing. NL CENTRAL Rank: #3

Offense: MVP Albert Pujols will have to be special once again if the Cards are to win the Central. Surprising '08 silver slugger Ryan Ludwick should give some assistance. Newcomer Khalil Greene should be helped by the change of scenery. The platoon of Rick Ankiel/Chris Duncan/Skip Schumaker will have to be solid. NL CENTRAL Rank: #4

Key Acquisition: Khalil Greene/SS
Key Loss: Braden Looper/SP
Breakout Player: Chris Carpenter/SP
Farm System Rank: #13
Top Prospects: Colby Rasmus(OF), Daryl Jones(OF), Brett Wallace(3B)


#2. Chicago Cubs
Projected Record: 89-73(Wildcard)
Pitching: The key to the Cubs season will be the health of Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano. If they stay healthy the whole year the Cubs will win the Central. After the top 2 Sean Marshall, Ted Lilly, and Ryan Dempster will be counted on to keep the team in games and rack up innings. The pen is solid with Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Marmol, and Kevin Gregg at the back end. NL CENTRAL Rank: #2

Offense: The maturation of Geovany Soto and the consistency of Milton Bradley makes or breaks this lineup. You know what to expect from Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Alphonso Soriano. The ability of Ryan Theriot to get on base will help. NL CENTRAL Rank:#2

Key Acquisition: Kevin Gregg/CP
Key Loss: Mark Derosa/Util.
Breakout Player: Rich Harden/SP
Farm System Rank: #21
Top Prospects: Josh Vitters(3B), Dae-Eun Rhee(RHP), Andrew Cashner(RHP)


#3. Milwaukee Brewers
Projected Record: 81-81
Pitching: Yovani Gallardo is an ace in waiting if he can stay healthy. Lefty Manny Parra is a very good #2 and new acquisition Braden Looper will be steady. Veterans Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan finish off this above average staff. Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman leads a reconstructed bullpen that needs to be better if the Brewers want to win the Central. NL CENTRAL Rank:#4

Offense: The ability to either be the best offense in the NL or lead the league in K's. With mashers Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Rickie Weeks the Brewers have the power and speed to be special. Corey Hart, Mike Cameron, JJ Hardy, and Bill Hall will decide the level of success this team enjoys. NL CENTRAL Rank:#1

Key Acquisition: Trevor Hoffman/CP
Key Loss: CC Sabathia/SP
Breakout Player: Rickie Weeks/2B
Farm System Rank: #11
Top Prospects: Brett Lawrie(3B), Alcides Escobar(SS), Mat Gamel(3B)


#4. Houston Astros
Projected Record: 76-86
Pitching: Roy Oswalt is the only certainty on this patched together starting staff. The foursome of Brandon Backe, Mike Hampton, Wandy Rodriguez, and Brain Mohler will be counted on to be better than they've ever been. The bullpen is anchored by closer Jose Valverde and not much else. NL CENTRAL Rank:#5

Offense: Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence, and Miguel Tejada will supply their normal numbers. Kaz Matsui and Michael Bourn will have to be able to get on base if the Astros offense wants to be great. Incoming catcher Ivan Rodriguez should help the rotation as much as the lineup. NL CENTRAL Rank: #3

Key Acquisition: Ivan Rodriguez/C
Key Loss: Randy Wolf/SP
Breakout Player: Wandy Rodriguez/SP
Farm System Rank: #28
Top Prospects: Jason Castro(C), Chris Johnson(3B), Bud Norris(RHP)


#5. Cincinnati Reds
Projected Record: 75-87
Pitching: This young staff is endless in potential. Veterans Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang should eat innings while leading the rest of the staff. Young studs Micah Owings, Edison Volquez, and Johnny Cueto have the talent to be special. The lefty/right combo of Arthur Rhodes and David Weathers should be a good bridge to closer Francisco Cordero. NL CENTRAL Rank: #1

Offense: Outside of Brandon Phillips there aren't many proven contributors on this offense. Ramon Hernandez should be an upgrade and Jay Bruce/Joey Votto/Edwin Encarnacion have the talent to produce at a high level. The ability of Wily Tavares, Chris Dickerson, and Jerry Hairston to get on base will be imperative. NL CENTRAL Rank: #5

Key Acquisition: Ramon Hernandez/C
Key Loss: Ryan Freel/OF
Breakout Player: Johnny Cueto/SP
Farm System Rank: #14
Top Prospects: Yonder Alonso(1B), Todd Frazier(3B), Drew Stubbs(OF)


#6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Projected Record: 70-92
Pitching: Unlike previous years, the Pirates look to have a plan in their starting rotation. Former 1st round pick Paul Malholm leads the way w/ veterans Zach Duke and Ian Snell. Yankee castoffs Ross Ohlendorf and Jeff Karstens round out the rotation. Underrated closer Matt Capps and lefty John Grabow lead a green group hoping to be a strength in '09. NL CENTRAL Rank: #6

Offense: Rising catcher Ryan Doumit and spark plug OF Nate McClouth hope to lead the Pirates offense back to respectability. Taken off the scrap heap OF Craig Monroe has shown flashes of his old self in the spring. Youngsters Andy Laroche and Brandon Moss hope to add some much needed power. Veterans Adam Laroche and Freddy Sanchez will be looked to for stability. NL CENTRAL Rank: #6

Key Acquisition: Craig Monroe/OF
Key Loss: N/A
Breakout Player: Paul Malholm/SP
Farm System Rank: #5
Top Prospects: Brad Lincoln(RHP), Pedro Alvarez(3B), Andrew McCutchen(OF)


NL WEST:

#1. Arizona Diamondbacks
Projected Record: 86-76
Pitching: Maybe the best 1-2 punch in baseball w/ Dan Haren and Brandon Webb. The final 3 spots will be taken by durable Jon Garland, lefty veteran Doug Davis, and the filthy Max Scherzer. The bullpen will be the question w/ new closer Chad Qualls and veterans Tom Gordon, Jon Rauch, and lone lefty Scott Schoeneweis. NL WEST Rank: #1

Offense: The lineup is young and talented. Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Chris Young, Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson, and Chris Snyder will be the nucleus. New 2B Felipe Lopez should love the dessert. NL WEST Rank: #2

Key Acquisition: Felipe Lopez/2B
Key Loss: Brandon Lyon/CP
Breakout Player: Stephen Drew/SS
Farm System Rank: #8
Top Prospects: Jarrod Parker(RHP), Wade Miley(LHP), Daniel Schlereth(LHP)


#2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Projected Record: 84-78
Pitching: The #5 spot needs to be taken care of ASAP. Having arms w/ the ability of Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw should help matters. Veterans Hiroki Kuroda and Randy Wolf will be counted on to eat innings and keep the team in games. Guillermo Mota and Hong-Chih Kuo will be the facilitators to closer Jonathan Broxton. NL WEST Rank: #3

Offense: You might not like him but OF Manny Ramirez makes this thing go. Talented OF's Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp will team with SS Rafael Furcal and C Russell Martin to and more punch. New addition Orlando Hudson and 1B James Loney round out the lineup. NL WEST Rank: #1

Key Acquisition: Orlando Hudson/2B
Key Loss: Derek Lowe/SP
Breakout Player: Matt Kemp/OF
Farm System Rank: #23
Top Prospects: Andrew Lambo(OF), Ethan Martin(RHP), James McDonald(RHP)


#3. San Francisco Giants
Projected Record: 82-80
Pitching: The best stuff in all of baseball leads this staff in Tim Lincecum. Underachieving Matt Cain and upstart Jonathan Sanchez add to the promise. Veterans Randy Johnson and Barry Zito round out this solid collection of arms. Questions abound when you enter the Giants bullpen. If poor man's closer Brian Wilson is the best you have that spells trouble. NL WEST Rank: #2

Offense: The addition of a rapidly aging Edgar Renteria won't help much. What will help is the fleet footed OF Fred Lewis and hard hitting Pablo Sandoval. Veterans Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand, and Bengie Molina should add some stability. The Giants need to hit the market hard in '10 to help the solid foundation they have. NL WEST Rank: #4

Key Acquisition: Edgar Renteria/SS
Key Loss: Brad Hennessey/P
Breakout Player: Pablo Sandoval/3B,1B,C
Farm System Rank: #3
Top Prospects: Madison Bumgarter(LHP), Tim Alderson(RHP), Buster Posey(C)


#4. San Diego Padres
Projected Record: 70-92
Pitching: The Padres are banking on the health of Jake Peavy, Chris Young , and Mark Prior. That is a losing proposition. The last two starters in this hit or miss rotation are Cha Seung Baek and Kevin Correia. Trying to take over for Trevor Hoffman is Heath "I lost weight with the Wii" Bell. NL WEST Rank: #4

Offense: No one is banking on the maturation of players more than the Padres. Prospects Chase Headley, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and Nick Hundley are being asked to grow up in a hurry. Slugger Adrian Gonzalez and RF Brian Giles should add some levity to the situation. NL WEST Rank:#5

Key Acquisition: David Eckstein/SS
Key Loss: Trevor Hoffman/CP
Breakout Player: Kevin Kouzmanoff/3B
Farm System Rank: #25
Top Prospects: Mat Latos(RHP), Jaff Decker(OF), Kyle Banks(1B)


#5. Colorado Rockies
Projected Record: 69-93
Pitching: With Jeff Francis on the shelf and Aaron Cook leading the way the Rockies head into '09. Ubaldo Jimenez and Greg Smith should provide some solid if not dominating innings. Cubs reject Jason Marquis and  Jorge De La Rosa will hope to stabilize the back of the rotation. Ex A's closer Huston Street and fickle set up man Manuel Corpas will strive to be the ending to games. NL WEST Rank: #5

Offense: The mix of veterans Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins, Troy Tulowitzski, and Brad Hawpe hope to off set the immaturity of OF Carlos Gonzalez, OF Seth Smith, and 2B Ian Stewart in '09. NL WEST Rank:#3

Key Acquisition: Carlos Gonzalez/OF
Key Loss: Matt Holliday/OF
Breakout Player: Ubaldo Jimenez/SP
Farm System Rank: #27
Top Prospects: Christian Friedrich(LHP), Hector Gomez(SS), Dexter Fowler(OF)

Best Of The NL:

Cy Young: Brandon Webb/Arizona Diamondbacks
MVP: Chase Utley/Philadelphia Phillies
Rookie Of The Year: Pablo Sandoval/San Francisco Giants