30 in 30: Summary

A summary of the 30 in 30 previews. Just click on the team name to access the individual previews.

AL East
Team Preview	Projected record
Toronto Blue Jays	93-69
Tampa Bay Rays	91-71
Boston Red Sox	86-76
New York Yankees	80-82
Baltimore Orioles	77-85

AL Central
Team Preview	Projected record
Detroit Tigers	96-66
Chicago White Sox	83-79
Cleveland Indians	79-83
Kansas City Royals	77-85
Minnesota Twins	65-97

AL West
Team Preview	Projected record
Texas Rangers	91-71
Los Angeles Angels	90-72
Oakland Athletics	84-78
Seattle Mariners	80-82
Houston Astros	52-110

NL East
Team Preview	Projected record
Washington Nationals	100-62
Atlanta Braves	93-69
Philadelphia Phillies	83-79
New York Mets	67-95
Miami Marlins	59-103

NL Central
Team Preview	Projected record
Cincinnati Reds	99-63
St Louis Cardinals	96-66
Milwaukee Brewers	86-76
Pittsburgh Pirates	73-89
Chicago Cubs	67-95

NL West
Team Preview	Projected record
San Francisco Giants	94-68
Los Angeles Dodgers	92-70
Arizona Diamondbacks	82-80
San Diego Padres	78-84
Colorado Rockies	71-91

30 in 30: Toronto Blue Jays

29 teams down, just one to go. And that final team is the rebuilt Toronto Blue Jays.

2012 Season

The Blue Jays entered 2012 with a potentially powerful line-up, but a starting rotation devoid of much depth or consistency, and it was the starting rotation that ultimately let them down, with Ricky Romero struggling (-1.7 WAR) and Brandon Morrow suffering an untimely injury amid a breakout year. Jose Bautista was able to play just 92 games until a wrist injury sidelined him but Edwin Encarnacion had a breakout season, putting up a .280/.384/.557 triple-slash with 42 homers. The 73-89 record was no less than was expected, although after a 27-24 start to the season, some fans may have been left wondering 'what if'.

Off-Season Moves

IN: R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, Melky Cabrera, Josh Thole
OUT: Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson, Henderson Alvarez, Jeff Mathis, Adeiny Hechavarria

Overview: No-one had a bigger off-season than the Toronto Blue Jays. They bought out the spine of the Marlins roster, acquiring an elite shortstop, two excellent innings-eaters and a speedy utility man in the process. What made it more outstanding was the fact they barely had to give up the entire farm in order to do so, and their top prospect, Travis D'Arnaud was only given away in the Dickey deal. Not satisfied at trading for a whole new rotation, the Jays then went out and signed Melky Cabrera to give them one of the most formidable line-ups in the AL. Whether this high-spending plan works is yet to be seen, but there's no doubt this incredible off-season has Jays fans partying like it's 1993. Overall grade: 9/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
SS	Jose Reyes	.352/.434/4.1
LF	Melky Cabrera	.348/.432/2.5
RF	Jose Bautista	.377/.529/4.6
DH	Edwin Encarnacion	.359/.504/2.8
CF	Colby Rasmus	.312/.427/2.4
1B	Adam Lind	.329/.460/1.4
C	J.P. Arencibia	.278/.451/2.3
2B	Emilio Bonifacio	.336/.350/0.4
3B	Maicer Izturis	.333/.360/1.2

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	R.A. Dickey	226/3.58/2.5
2	Brandon Morrow	187/3.47/2.6
3	Mark Buehrle	205/3.78/1.6
4	Josh Johnson	196/3.21/2.8
5	J.A. Happ	161/4.30/0.5

Position Players

This Blue Jays line-up has the potential to score a lot of runs, particularly playing at the Rogers Centre. Jose Bautista has made a name for himself as a long ball specialist, crushing 54 homers in 2010, 43 in 2011 and 27 in just 92 games last season. His willingness to take a walk also means he keeps his OBP well into the .350 range, even if the average is far from spectacular. A wrist injury for a hitter is the equivalent of an elbow injury for a pitcher, so there is a chance for regression if he has not fully healed. Jose Reyes was a bright point in an otherwise disappointing season in Miami, as he hit .287 with 40 steals. He should be a spark-plug atop this line-up, a decent bet to lead the league in runs scored, and playing at the Rogers centre may even allow him an uptick in home runs. Melky Cabrera was leading the league in batting average at .346 through 116 games until he got busted for PED use. Whilst sustaining an average that high will be impossible, he's still a good bet to hit around .300 with double digits home runs and steals.

Colby Rasmus continues to be a huge disappointment for the Blue Jays, as his .223/.289/.400 triple-slash in 2012 was far from impressive. The 149 strikeouts is the main cause for this batting average drain, and whilst he continues to flash 20-homer power, his leash will be shorter than ever this year. Adam Lind struggled in 2012, hitting just .227 in the first half before being demoted to AAA. He did hit better upon his return, bumping the average up to .255 but his 2009 season looks like being the outlier rather than a sign of things to come. J.P. Arencibia has prodigious power, especially for a catcher, but his on-base skills are poor, thanks largely to a woeful 0.22 BB/K ratio. If he can stay healthy, he is a threat to hit 30 home runs, but in a line-up with few high-average hitters, he is another player who struggles to get the ball in play consistently. Bonifacio is a speedy utility guy, who could steal 50 bases if given the chance, but he has no power and hit just .258 last season in Miami. Maicer Izturis will fill the void at third base whilst Brett Lawrie is out injured, and if the latter can stay healthy for the rest of the season he might be one of the better hitters in this line-up. Overall, this is a line-up with a lot of power but a worrying lack of high average or high OBP guys. If they all find their groove it could easily be the best line-up in the Majors, but there may be some shocking slumps when the bats aren't clicking. Overall grade: 7/10.

Pitching

R.A. Dickey had a monster season in New York last year on his way to a Cy Young award, posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, an incredible feat considering he is essentially a one-pitch guy. His hard knuckleball, that he tends to throw around 80mph, is a seemingly uncontrollable pitch, but Dickey found a way to control it in 2012, issuing just 54 walks in 233 innings. If he can keep the knuckler dancing, there is no reason why he can't repeat that success this year. Mark Buehrle truly defines the term 'innings-eater', throwing a mind-boggling 2,625 innings over the past twelve seasons. He's surpassed 200 innings pitched in each of those seasons, proving remarkably durable to injuries and incredibly consistent (2+ WAR in every single season). His 3.74 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with Miami last year were right in line with his career rates, and the Jays will be hoping he can continue to be a stud middle-of-the-rotation starter in Toronto. After posting a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts after returning from injury, I like the chances of Josh Johnson putting up a big season in Toronto. His 6.4 and 6.8 win seasons in 2009 and 2010 show how big the upside can be. The fifth spot was expected to go to Ricky Romero, but after a disastrous Spring, he was demoted all the way to single-A, allowing J.A. Happ to fill the spot after posting a 4.69 ERA with the Jays last season.

Sergio Santos pitched just 5 innings in 2012 before shoulder surgery ended his season. He's back in action this year, but will serve as the primary set-up man for Casey Janssen who excelled in the closer role last year. Janssen saved 22 games with a 2.54 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, striking out 67 in 63 innings of work. Darren Oliver will return for his 20th season in baseball as the lefty specialist after posting a 2.06 ERA in 56 innings last season. Aaron Loup had a good first season with the Jays, posting a 2.64 ERA and 0.91 WHIP whilst not allowing a home run in 30 innings of work. Esmil Rogers will also join the bullpen after performing well with the Cleveland Indians in the second half of 2012, although there are some concerns over his past control issues. Overall, this is a rotation with a Cy Young winner at the top and three excellent workhorses beneath him. The bullpen is far from dominant, but if Janssen can continue from his 2012 form then it shouldn't have too much of a problem closing games out. Overall grade: 8/10.

Prospects

After their major dealing during the off-season, the Jays farm system is barer than it has been in recent years. They still have top pitching prospect Aaron Sanchez, who was dominant in 90 innings at Class A in 2012, and looks like being a future ace if he can improve his command. He isn't big league ready yet, but the stuff is so good the Jays refused to discuss trades involving him. For this year, the Jays will likely look to Marcus Stroman to have an impact out of the bullpen, and Sean Nolin could provide rotation depth if the Jays struggle with injuries. The farm system isn't loaded with talent, but considering the quality of their big league roster, it doesn't need to be. Overall grade: 3/10.

Overview

The Jays have made it obvious that they are playing to win, and win now. The AL East is wide open this year, but I expect them to be at or near the top all the way. If Bautista and Lawrie stay healthy and the rotation is able to be as dominant as they look on paper, this is a team that could arguably go deep in the play-offs. I'm not convinced the World Series is on the cards just yet, but it's hard to argue that the Jays aren't going to be highly competitive this season.

Prediction: 93-69

Gif to Watch

How is it Dickey can be so effective when hitters know what's coming? Here's how.

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So there you have it, 30 teams in 30 days. A big thank you to those who took the time to read my previews and comment on them, it's greatly appreciated, and sorry to anyone who's team I was harsh on - I try not to be biased! Other notable thank you's must go to:

Rotochamp, off whom I stole most of the line-up and rotation projections

Fangraphs, off whom I stole most of the stat projections (Bill James for OBP, SLG, IP and ERA; the ZiPS projections for WAR)

Keith Law, off whom I stole all of my prospect knowledge

Other baseball writers, off whom I stole cool stats or GIFs.

Tableizer.com, without whom I would have been unable to create those snazzy tables.

And finally, mercifully, opening day is here. From today through October it's baseball, baseball and more baseball. What more could you want?!

30 in 30: Tampa Bay Rays

Just two teams left in this marathon 30 in 30 series, and the penultimate team is the Tampa Bay Rays.

2012 Season

Despite winning 90 games in 2012, the Rays were unable to make the play-offs, missing out on the second wildcard spot by three games. The Rays were able to win 90 games despite the absence of star third baseman Evan Longoria, who was able to play just 74 games, thanks largely to the efforts of Cy Young winner David Price. Price recorded a 2.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP on his way to a 20-5 record, striking out hitters at a rapid rate as he joined the echelon of elite starting pitchers. Although missing out on the post-season was a disappointment for Rays fans, the fact that they continue to compete with a minuscule payroll is cause for optimism.

Off-Season Moves

IN: Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson, James Loney, Wil Myers, Shelley Duncan, Roberto Hernandez
OUT: Burke Badenhop, Reid Brignac, Wade Davis, Carlos Pena, James Shields, B.J. Upton

Overview: The Rays are never going to be big spenders in the free agent market, but they continue to cycle through intriguing players, from reclamation projects like Yunel Escobar to glove-only first baseman James Loney. The biggest move they made was trading away James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City in return for Wil Myers and a couple of other prospects. Whilst Shields had been a highly productive pitcher in TB, Myers is a powerful outfield prospect who should help the team sooner rather than later. The loss of B.J. Upton puts more pressure on the shoulders of Desmond Jennings, but overall it was a solid off-season for the Rays. Overall grade: 5/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
CF	Desmond Jennings	.337/.417/3.1
DH	Matt Joyce	.354/.467/1.9
3B	Evan Longoria	.366/.516/4.8
RF	Ben Zobrist	.369/.440/4.7
SS	Yunel Escobar	.344/.377/2.2
1B	James Loney	.337/.406/0.2
LF	Sam Fuld	.315/.335/0.7
C	Jose Molina	.281/.332/0.7
2B	Kelly Johnson	.328/.407/1.6

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	David Price	216/3.13/4.8
2	Jeremy Hellickson	187/3.51/1.6
3	Matt Moore	202/3.25/2.8
4	Alex Cobb	169/3.73/1.8
5	Roberto Hernandez	154/4.21/0.6

Position Players

The line-up is the weakest part of this Tampa Bay team, but it's best hitter, Evan Longoria, is a perennial MVP threat when he stays on the field. At the age of 27, he may be primed for a monster year after putting up a .289/.369/.527 triple-slash with 17 homers in 74 games last season. His production and health may well define the Rays season, as they were 47-27 in games he played in last year, so if he stays healthy he'll be a massive boost for this Rays line-up. Desmond Jennings is yet to truly live up to the hype he was given as a prospect, as his .246/.314/.388 triple-slash last season was far from lead-off material. He has a lot of speed, and still has the skills that made him a top prospect, but he'll need to improve that OBP if he wants to be a successful lead-off hitter. Matt Joyce continued to crush right-handed pitching (.270/.364/.493 triple-slash over the past three seasons) whilst being hopeless against lefties (.197/.276/.322 over the same period). As long as the Rays only send him out against right-handers, he should be primed for another big season. Ben Zobrist is one of the more underrated hitters in the American League, with superb versatility (can play second base, shortstop or outfield) good durability (150+ games each of the last four seasons) and elite on-base skills (.377 last season). He is also a perennial 20/20 threat and has racked up 26.6 wins above replacement over the past four seasons (that's more than Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols).

Yunel Escobar had a poor season in 2012, hitting just .253 with 9 home runs, and getting in hot water for wearing eye black that had a homophobic slur written on it in Spanish. He did put up a .290/.369/.413 triple-slash in 2011 and plays elite defense at shortstop, so if Tampa Bay can turn him around (as they have done with many before him) it could prove to be a shrewd signing. With Luke Scott down injured for the start of the season, Sam Fuld may get more at-bats in left field but both he and Jose Molina are hopeless with the bat and offer almost all of their value on defense. Like Escobar, Kelly Johnson had a down season in 2012 with the Blue Jays, hitting just .225, but he has the potential to put up a .280/.350/.450 slash line and will look to get his career back on track with the Rays. The loss of B.J. Upton has this line-up a little lacking in star quality, but if Longoria can stay healthy, Myers can be an impact performer as a rookie and some of the reclamation projects work out they could be better than expected. Overall grade: 6/10.

Pitching

Even with the off-season loss of James Shields, the clear strength of this Tampa Bay team is the pitching. The team is led by Cy Young winner David Price who had a monster year in 2012, and will look to continue that into 2013. His fastball is one of the best in the Majors, with opponents hitting just .225 off it, and he complements it well with sharp breaking stuff. He may be entering his final year with the Rays, as they will look to trade him before he hits free agency. After a superb rookie season, many expected Jeremy Hellickson to regress, pointing at his unsustainable peripherals, and whilst he was unable to match the insane 2011 numbers, he was still an excellent pitcher, with a 3.10 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He'll never be much of a strikeout guy, but with the solid defense behind him, pitching to contact seems to work.

Matt Moore didn't quite live up to expectations as a rookie, but a 3.81 ERA and 1.35 WHIP at the age of 22 is nothing to sniff at. His strikeout rate remained elite, but he had some problems with control that hampered his ability. I expect him to take a big step forward in 2013 and become one of the game's elite pitchers. Alex Cobb has become a trendy name in Spring Training after posting a 2.81 ERA and striking out 28 in 25 innings. He has good strikeout stuff, and after putting up a 4.03 ERA in 136 innings last season appears ready to make the next step. Roberto Hernandez (the former Fausto Carmona) has a hard sinker that should play up with an excellent infield defense behind him, but he may find himself ousted from the rotation if Chris Archer impresses at AAA to start the season, or by Jeff Niemann if he is unable to find a groove.

Fernando Rodney was one of the surprises of the 2012 season. Having not posted a sub-four ERA for five consecutive seasons, Rodney was thrust into the closer role and subsequently was the most dominant ninth inning man in baseball, saving 48 games with a ridiculous 0.60 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. The main reason for his success was a greatly reduced walk rate, from between 4 and 8 BB/9 to a measly 1.81, as his knockout fastball/changeup combination left hitters floundering. Kyle Farnsworth, who's injury opened the door for Rodney looks set to be the main set-up man in Tampa Bay this year after he posted a 2.18 ERA and 0.99 WHIP as the closer in 2011. Joel Peralta enjoyed a successful season as the main set-up man in 2012, with a 3.63 ERA on his way to 37 holds. Jake McGee figures to be the main lefty out of the bullpen, whilst Jeff Niemann will try to emulate the success of Wade Davis after making the transition from the rotation. Overall, this is a pitching rotation that is strong at the top and has plenty of depth, with a Cy Young winner leading it and several strong young arms backing him up. The bullpen was lights-out last season, and I expect it to be equally successful this year, especially with Joe Maddon calling the shots from the dugout. Overall grade: 9/10.

Prospects

In order to compete with the other high-spending franchises in the AL East, the Rays farm system has to be good. And it is. The top prospect is power hitting right fielder Wil Myers who slugged 37 home runs between AA and AAA last season. He's pretty much big league ready and figures to make the roster once his arbitration clock has been delayed. For this year, he'll be a source of power and walks, but in future years he could become an MVP-calibre player, and the kind of slugger the Rays need to go with Longoria. The Rays have a good recent history of producing young starters, and they have three big-league ready arms that will have to wait due to the strength of the current rotation. Chris Archer has outstanding raw stuff, and Jake Odorizzi acquired in the James Shields trade projects as a solid innings-eater in the middle of the rotation. This is a system with power up top and plenty of depth, so the future looks bright for the Rays. Overall grade: 9/10.

Overview

It's hard not to want the Rays to do well. Every year they are able to compete with teams on double the payroll, by miraculously turning an awful player into an all-star. If Longoria stays healthy and Myers can have an impact as a rookie, the line-up will score some runs. The rotation is one of the strongest in the Majors, and with a lot of depth in the minors, although David Price will be leaned upon to win 20 games again with the departure of Shields. This team isn't amazing on paper, but it has some handy tools that could all click, especially with Maddon running the ship.

Prediction: 91-71

Gif to Watch

Matt Moore has superb raw stuff and projects as a future number one starter. Here, he throws a filthy breaking ball for strike three.

30 in 30: New York Yankees

With the Orioles and Red Sox out of the way, we delve further into the AL East and take a look at the New York Yankees

2012 Season

The Yankees won their second consecutive AL East crown in 2012, with a 95-67 record that was good enough to secure them home-field advantage in the play-offs. They were involved in a scrap for the title with Orioles all the way to the last week of the season, but the 20-11 September/October record was enough for the Yankees. Star slugger Robinson Cano put together another big year at the plate, with a .313/.379/.550 triple-slash to go with a career high 33 home runs. On the mound, C.C. Sabathia continued to be one of the most dominant pitchers in the AL, winning 15 games with a 3.38 ERA. In the play-offs, the Yankees squeaked past the Orioles in the ALDS but got swept by the Tigers in the Championship round.

Off-Season Moves

IN: Matt Diaz, Travis Hafner, Juan Rivera, Kevin Youkilis, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay
OUT: Eric Chavez, Freddy Garcia, Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones, Russell Martin, Nick Swisher, Rafael Soriano

Overview: The clear aim of the off-season this year for the Yankees was not to spend big and bolster the team, but rather to ensure that they are able to get underneath the Luxury Tax mark of $189m in salaries. Of the major departures, the exits of Swisher and Soriano are most likely to hurt, although Martin's exit leaves the primary catching duties to Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart. The only real additions to the team are veterans who will be trusted upon to fill in holes, giving the Yankees the oldest roster in baseball. It's possible some of those moves work out, but some Yankee fans will be wishing they had gone after a big name free agent to help out on offense. Overall grade: 3/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
CF	Brett Gardner	.368/.371/2.3
RF	Ichiro Suzuki	.331/.370/1.2
2B	Robinson Cano	.361/.515/6.1
3B	Kevin Youkilis	.371/.465/3.2
DH	Travis Hafner	.363/.446/1.1
LF	Brennan Boesch	.320/.430/0.4
SS	Eduardo Nunez	.305/.363/0.8
1B	Lyle Overbay	.316/.384/0.2
C	Chris Stewart	.299/.333/0.6

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	C.C. Sabathia	233/3.28/4.3
2	Hiroki Kuroda	212/3.57/2.1
3	Andy Pettitte	90/4.09/1.5
4	Ivan Nova	179/4.42/1.3
5	Phil Hughes	201/3.76/1.2

Position Players

Robinson Cano is by far the best player of this group of position players, as a lock for a .300 average, 30 home run power and gold glove defense at second base. His 8.2 win season in 2012 was good enough to earn him third in AL MVP balloting, and had there not been such stiff competition he may have won it. One of Cano's finest attributes is his durability, as he has missed 12 games in the past six seasons combined. Brett Gardner was expected to make the transition to center field this season anyway, but Granderson's injury confirmed that this speedy outfielder would now plug in at center. Gardner played just 16 games in 2012, as injury kept him sidelined, but when on the field he hits for average, with good plate discipline and speed to burn (49 steals in 2011). If he can stay healthy, he might be the sparkplug of this offense. Ichiro excelled in a Yankee uniform last season, hitting .322 with 14 steals. He still plays elite defense out in right field, and as long as he can continue to sustain those high averages, he'll be a key player for the Yankees.

The greek god of walks, Kevin Youkilis, endured a rough 2012 season, in which a dispute with Bobby Valentine led to him being traded to the White Sox. Throughout the ordeal, he was unable to click at the plate, hitting just .235 with 19 homers. He still has value, but how much his on base skills decline in the next few seasons will be key to his success. Hafner struggled to earn consistent playing time in 2012, batting with just a .228 average and offering little value in the field. He'll earn a spot as the DH in New York, but his five win seasons are firmly in the rear-view mirror. Boesch has struggled mightily so far in his big league career, especially to get on base, whilst Eduardo Nunez will serve as the fill-in until Jeter's return. Overbay and Stewart complete an old line-up that has some power but several areas where getting on-base might be a problem. Injuries have ravaged this line-up, and until some of the key players return, Yankee fans might have to settle for some offensive disasters. Overall grade: 4/10.

Pitching

C.C. Sabathia truly defines the term 'workhorse' having recorded over 185 innings in every season since 2002. He continues to be one of the best pitchers in the AL, despite this heavy workload, with a 3.38 ERA and a strikeout every inning in 2012. There are no real reasons why Sabathia shouldn't continue to be that ace in 2013, although the sheer volume of innings may be having an effect on his arm. Hiroki Kuroda was superb in his first season with the Yankees, sporting a 3.32 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on his way to 16 wins. At the age of 38, Kuroda is on the back-end of his career, but he continues to be a reliable, innings-eating workhorse, and he's one of the more underrated options out of the rotation this year. Andy Pettitte made a successful Yankees comeback last season, posting a 2.87 ERA in 12 starts. If he can stay healthy, he will be part of a potent one-two-three punch atop the Yankee rotation. However, after that it becomes a little more murky. Ivan Nova was unable to repeat his fine 2011 season last year, as an ugly 5.02 ERA and 1.47 WHIP contributed to a barely above replacement level season. His real problem has been location and home runs, and he'll need to get back on track in 2013 if he wants to stick in the rotation. Phil Hughes has long been expected to become a workhorse for the Yankees, but his home run rate is too high, contributing to an ERA that will struggle to stay below four. He does have decent raw stuff, but has yet to put it all together in the big leagues.

Despite the loss of Mariano Rivera last season, the Yankees bullpen actually excelled, with only the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays blowing fewer saves. Rivera is back this year, and will look to return to his dazzling best (sub 2 ERA, sub 1 WHIP) at the back-end of games. At the age of 43, there will be some doubts surrounding Rivera's durability and stuff, but I think Rivera could sit in a wheelchair and break bats with that deadly cutter so I'm not concerned. The loss of Soriano is far from perfect, but in David Robertson, Rivera will have one of the game's elite set-up men pitching the eighth inning. Robertson recorded a 2.67 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on his way to 30 holds in 2012, striking out hitters at a prolific 12 K/9 rate. Joba Chamberlain pitched well at the end of 2012, with 11 scoreless appearances to end the season, but he struggled with rust before that meaning his overall ERA was an ugly 4.35. If he can stay healthy he'll be an integral part of the pen, but injuries have hampered him for most of his big-league career. Clay Rapada figures to be the primary left-hander after posting a 2.82 ERA in 70 appearances in 2012. Boone Logan has proved he has the stuff to get lefties and righties out alike, although there are still some concerns regarding his walk rate. Overall, this is a rotation that has strength up top in Sabathia, Kuroda and Pettitte, but question marks in the four and five spots. Fortunately, the bullpen looks set to be one of the best in the league again, as Mo looks to finish an incredible career on a high. Overall grade: 7/10.

Prospects

The Yankees system has a number of top prospects, but little depth below them, as recent drafts have produced some standout position players in the minors. None of the top prospects are really big league ready yet, but catcher Gary Sanchez appears to have a promising future, having raked at every level he's played at. There were some issues about his defense, but he appears to have eased those concerns after a fine 2012 showing, and he could be the Yankees everyday catcher by 2015. Center field prospect Mason Williams has a superb glove, and has shown improved hitting ability to go with a decent amount of speed. He, Tyler Austin and Slade Heathcott all profile as the future Yankees outfield but none will be making it to the Majors in the foreseeable future. For this year, the Yanks may look to reliever Mark Montgomery to have an impact with his strong slider. Overall, this is a farm system that has steadily improved, and whilst there isn't any impact at the big league level yet, there is significant promise for the future. Overall grade: 6/10.

Overview

The Yankees have simply been crippled by injuries in the build up to the season, and this leaves their line-up looking extremely weak indeed, probably the weakest in the AL East. Some of those injured players should make it back in a few weeks, but I still don't love their chances to be a run-scoring machine. The team does have a strong top-of-the-rotation to lean on, but the fourth and fifth spots are far from reliable. The bullpen has the potential to be lights-out, but I think this may be a tough season for the Yankees in the uber-competitive East.

Prediction: 80-82

Gif to Watch

In his final season in the Majors, it just wouldn't be right to put up a Yankees preview without mentioning Mariano Rivera and his stupendous cutter. This clip shows vintage Rivera striking out the side, all on cutters.

5 Bold Predictions for the 2013 Season

With the regular season up and running tomorrow, the excruciatingly long wait for baseball is almost over. Last season I produced a list of five predictions, with varying results...

So, can I pick this year's Mike Trout? Who will be the 2013 Baltimore Orioles? Here are my bold predictions for the 2013 season:

1. The Yankees lose 90 games

Michael Pineda, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira have all been ruled out for sections of the season, and guys like Phil Hughes, Derek Jeter and Chien-Ming Wang enter the season with large question marks above their head. The Red Sox contrived to lose 93 games last year, and if anything they had a better roster than this Yankee side. In all honesty, I don't see this prediction coming exactly true, but you've got to be bold!

2. This year, Giancarlo Stanton will lead the majors in home runs

Yes, I'm repeating my prediction from last year. I might have been correct in 2012 were it not for injuries, and if Stanton can stay healthy I think he could walk away with the home run crown. He has prodigious power to all fields, and is showing more consistent contact rates that should allow him to tap into that power more often. Yes, he's playing in a line-up full of AAA scrubs and yes, he's playing at one of the Majors hardest parks to hit home runs at. Stanton is just that good.

3. Yu Darvish wins the Cy Young

I'm not the only person predicting great things from Darvish this season, but I think he takes such a great step that he wins 18+ games, records an ERA in the low three's and strikes out the most hitters in the Majors on his way to the Cy Young. He has dazzling stuff, and after battling control issues in the first half of 2012 (53 walks in 102 innings pre all-star break) he was lights-out at the end of the year (2.21 ERA in September). The park in Arlington will damage his ERA and WHIP, but I still think he misses so many bats he can take the most prestigious award a pitcher can this season.

4. The Nationals win 110 games

This is a pretty tough feat. Only 6 teams have done it in baseball history. But the Nationals have dominant starting pitching, a lights-out bullpen and a line-up that will continue to rake. Bryce Harper takes another step forward, Ryan Zimmerman gets back into form, Desmond and Espinosa combine for 50 homers and 40 steals. Strasburg contends for a Cy Young award, Zimmermann and Gio dominate, Soriano saves 50 games. I'm not saying it's likely, but maybe, just maybe, it's possible. And I may as well go out on a limb.

5. Adam Dunn has more strikeouts than any pitcher in baseball

The single-season record for strikeouts by a hitter is 223 (Dunn struck out 222 times last season) and were I to guess I'd say the top pitcher in baseball gets about 250 strikeouts. It's going to be tough, but Dunn just needs a little bit of luck to not fall his way, and he could easily challenge the league leader. Maybe Mark Reynolds will be right there with him.

In case you're not convinced, here's a clip of Dunn striking out:

So, what do you think? Plain stupid or on the periphery of Nate Silver-esque prediction genius?

30 in 30: Boston Red Sox

With the Baltimore Orioles preview out of the way, we delve further into the AL East and take a look at the Boston Red Sox

2012 Season

After the embarrassing finish to the 2011 season, when the Red Sox contrived to throw away a healthy wildcard lead in September away on the final day of the season. Bobby Valentine took over as manager, and was an unmitigated disaster, upsetting Kevin Youkilis in April and generally upsetting most members of the clubhouse as the Red Sox lost 93 games, their worst record since 1965. A horrific 9-20 record in August sealed the fate of the Red Sox, who dealt Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford to the Dodgers on August 25th. Overall, it was a horrible disappointment of a season for the Red Sox, who will look to bounce back this year.

Off-Season Moves

IN: David Ross, Jonny Gomes, Shane Victorino, Koji Uehara, Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew, Mike Napoli, Joel Hanrahan, John Farrell
OUT: Aaron Cook, James Loney, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Vicente Padilla, Scott Podsednik, Cody Ross, Mark Melancon, Bobby Valentine

Overview: Carrying on from their mid-season salary dump on the Dodgers, the Red Sox continued to completely revamp their roster. The focus was on bringing in 'good clubhouse guys' like David Ross and Jonny Gomes after reports that the clubhouse was a divided place with a 'toxic atmosphere'. Shane Victorino signed perhaps the worst contract of the off-season, agreeing to a three year, $39 million dollar contract despite not recording an OBP above .327 in any of the past three seasons and having almost sole value in his speed. The trade for Joel Hanrahan was an interesting one, as it was expected that Andrew Bailey would close after missing most of the 2012 season. I like the signings of Dempster and Napoli, as both are impact players that signed inexpensive contracts, and most of the main Red Sox departures can not be considered major losses. The Red Sox made a lot of noise, but didn't enter the market for any of the biggest free agents, though in retrospect saving the salary may have been a better idea. Overall grade: 6/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
CF	Jacoby Ellsbury	.346/.436/2.9
LF	Shane Victorino	.338/.418/3.4
2B	Dustin Pedroia	.367/.459/5.2
1B	Mike Napoli	.350/.498/2.0
3B	Will Middlebrooks	.316/.490/2.2
DH	Jonny Gomes	.337/.441/0.6
C	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	.309/.454/1.6
RF	Jackie Bradley	.351/.419/2.1
SS	Jose Iglesias	.285/.283/1.3

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	Jon Lester	211/3.71/3.0
2	Clay Buchholz	205/3.64/1.5
3	Ryan Dempster	190/3.74/1.9
4	Felix Doubront	202/3.70/1.1
5	John Lackey	209/4.05/0.7

Position Players

With the departure of Adrian Gonzalez last season, the best player in this line-up is probably second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia has excellent contact rates, striking out very little, and that allows him to sustain an average north of .290, sometimes even .300. His good plate discipline allows him to maintain an OBP well above .350, and he has a good power/speed combo as he is a perennial 20/20 threat. His defense at second is also one of the best in the league. Atop the line-up will be left-handed Jacoby Ellsbury, who was unable to follow up his breakout 2011 season with a monster stat line as injuries reduced him to just 70 games. He posts a high average, with up to 40-steal speed, but there are significant question marks over his power potential, as the 32 home run 2011 campaign has been a major outlier so far. Mike Napoli played just 108 games for Texas last season, but was still able to crush 24 homers. Moving him to first base should reduce the injury risk, and with the green monster to aim for, Napoli could be in for a monster year.

Will Middlebrooks enjoyed surprising success as a rookie in 2012, hitting for a .288 average with a .509 slugging that was fuelled by 15 home runs. His season was cut short by wrist surgery, which is always a worry, and his total lack of patience at the plate suggests regression may be due. At the age of 24 he is still learning however, and should be a good source of power at the hot corner. Jonny Gomes offers no value on defense, but he does have prodigious power and has shown an ability to get on base even when the average is struggling. He is expected to lose his spot in the side once David Ortiz returns however. Jackie Bradley has enjoyed a whirlwind Spring Training (.433 average, two home runs) that has led to a spot on the opening day roster. He proved in the Minors he has excellent plate discipline, and plays elite defense in center field, so he will try to prove he is in the team to stay. Finally, Jose Iglesias is in the team purely for his glove, as he offers no value at the plate but will play slick, gold glove calibre defense up the middle with Pedroia until Stephen Drew's return from the concussion list. Overall, this line-up remains one of the stronger line-ups in the AL. Ortiz's health and form may prove crucial, but I think there are enough hitters in here to keep this team competitive in most games. Overall grade: 7/10.

Pitching

Jon Lester had a rough year in 2012, posting just a 4.82 ERA and 0.4 WAR after four consecutive seasons with a WAR greater than four. He's been lights-out in Spring Training so far, and I think he should be due a bounceback season as the workhorse of this rotation. Clay Buchholz made a successful return from injury in 2012, but was quite rusty at the start of the season, which ruined his overall stat line. A high in ERA of 3.72 in the months following May showed he was returning to form, and his spring stats suggest he may go back to his sparkling best. Ryan Dempster was one of the best pitchers in baseball for the first few months of 2012, posting a dazzling 2.25 ERA with the Cubs. After his trade to the Rangers, he began to fall apart a bit, but he is a reliable innings eater who should keep his ERA under control and keep the Sox in every game he starts. Felix Doubront had an up-and-down 2012 season, as his good start was ruined by a poor record in August and September. He has great strikeout stuff, and I think he could make a large stride forward this season as the fourth man in the rotation. John Lackey had an embarrassing season with the Red Sox last year, with a 6.41 ERA and -2.1 WAR. Reports are that he has turned up this year in much better shape, but there is no chance he will survive the year if he can't turn those stats around fast.

The bullpen will be led by newly acquired Joel Hanrahan, who had posted 76 saves in the past couple of seasons with the Pirates. He has a heavy fastball and sinker, but suffers from bad control issues that led to a 1.27 WHIP last season. In the less forgiving confines of Fenway, he'll need to stop walking hitters or he risks losing his job. Right behind him will be Andrew Bailey, who injured himself just days before the start of the 2012 season, and struggled upon his return in September. He still has the stuff that allowed him to save 75 games between 2009 and 2011, but if he wants the closer job back he'll need to bring that WHIP down to sub-one levels. Koji Uehara has spectacular stuff from the bullpen, but has been forced to battle recurring injuries over the past few seasons. If he can stay healthy he'll be an absolute steal for Boston, but that has been a big ask recently. Alfredo Aceves saved 25 games as the Red Sox interim closer last season, but struggled with command and homers, as he posted a 5.36 ERA. Junichi Tazawa was one of the highlights of the season for the Red Sox in 2012, as he carried a 1.43 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 44 innings, guaranteeing himself a shot towards the end of games. Breslow and Andrew Miller will serve as the primary left-handers, whilst Daniel Bard will look to regain his pre-2012 form after a botched rotation switch last season. The bullpen was a real area of weakness in 2012 for Boston, as only Colorado and Milwaukee blew more saves. With a strong rotation in front of them, and a more balanced staff in the 'pen, I like this staff to keep Boston in most games this year. Overall grade: 7/10.

Prospects

The top prospect in this Red Sox system, is hard-hitting shortstop Xander Bogaerts. There are questions over his defensive ability at short, but the bat is legitimate, and he has a chance to be a rare power-hitting shortstop as long as his game continues to develop. Whilst he likely won't make the team until next year at the earliest, Jackie Bradley will be the main impact prospect this season for Boston provided he gets regular at-bats. Allen Webster is their top pitching prospect, and he's probably closest to big league ready for this team, and could fill John Lackey's rotation spot if he struggles. Other than that, most talent in this system is a while away from the Majors, but the Red Sox greater focus on farm improvements in recent years has paid dividends. Overall grade: 5/10.

Overview

One look at this team tells you that it's not a 93-loss team, but they contrived to lose that many last season despite an equally strong roster. I think the rotation bounces back, and both Lester and Buchholz should be reliable innings-eaters with sub-4 ERA's. The bullpen is still a bit of a wildcard, but as long as Aceves is kept away from high pressure situations it should be an effective staff. The line-up looks weak without Ortiz's presence, but if Ellsbury can rediscover his 2011 form and a couple of the free agent signing step up big, this team should challenge all the way into September (before collapsing again).

Prediction: 86-76

Gif to Watch

If ever a GIF summed up a team's season, it would be this moment of athleticism from Kelly Shoppach

30 in 30: Baltimore Orioles

25 teams down, 5 to go. We head to the AL East now, one of the more intriguing divisions in 2012, and start with the Baltimore Orioles.

2012 Season

The Baltimore Orioles had a fairytale season in 2012, as they and the Athletics surprised the entire American League with their strength. Baltimore's success owed much to it's record in one-run games, where it's 29-9 record (.763 win percentage) was the best since 1883. A large slice of this record was due to luck, but it's important to note that the bullpen was lights out last season, with Pedro Strop owning a 2.4 WAR in 66 innings of work and Jim Johnson saving 51 games with his extreme ground ball stuff. Adam Jones' league-leading seven home runs in late/close situations didn't hurt either, as the Orioles ended up 93-69 in the AL East, good enough for a wildcard spot. In the play-offs, they beat Texas in the wildcard game before suffering a tough loss in game 5 of the ALDS to the Yankees. Heading into the season, few had the Orioles destined for any better than 4th in the division, but in the end they fell just short of an ALCS appearance.

Off-Season Moves

IN: Trayvon Robinson, Jair Jurrjens, Alexi Casilla
OUT: Robert Andino, Mark Reynolds, Joe Saunders, Endy Chavez

Overview: After putting in such an unexpected run at the AL East crown in 2011, I expected the Orioles to at least make some noise in free agency, but they were disappointingly quiet. None of the acquisitions will serve as anything more than back-ups or injury fill-ins, with Alexi Casilla effectively replacing Andino as the infield utility man. Mark Reynolds had been a power bat for some time, but his poor contact ability and defense means his departure isn't terrible. Joe Saunders had been a reliable veteran who ate innings for the O's, but with top pitching prospects coming through his exit made sense. There are still holes in this team however, especially in the outfield, and the clever dealing I expected never happened. Overall grade: 2/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
2B	Brian Roberts	.345/.397/0.2
LF	Nick Markakis	.369/.457/2.0
CF	Adam Jones	.329/.478/3.6
C	Matt Wieters	.341/.448/4.5
1B	Chris Davis	.340/.532/0.9
SS	J.J. Hardy	.306/.422/3.5
RF	Nate McLouth	.326/.400/1.2
DH	Nolan Reimold	.340/.456/1.0
3B	Manny Machado	.315/.419/2.7

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	Jason Hammel	161/4.30/2.5
2	Wei-Yin Chen	193/3.92/1.3
3	Miguel Gonzalez	174/3.67/0.3
4	Jake Arrieta	144/5.16/0.5
5	Chris Tillman	188/4.31/1.3

Position Players

This side's best hitter is standout center fielder Adam Jones, who had the best year of his career in 2012. He put up a .287/.334/.505 triple-slash with 32 round-trippers and 16 steals whilst playing outstanding center field defense. Some regression may be due, but the power-speed combination is real, and if he can cut down on the strikeouts the average should remain a strength. Catcher Matt Wieters entered the Majors with as much fanfare as any prospect in baseball, but he's yet to really hit his stride. Last seasons .249/.329/.435 stat line with 23 homers was solid, especially given his elite defense, but if he wants to meet those lofty expectations, he'll need to start making better contact. Brian Roberts played just 17 games in 2012, and was also injured in '11 and '10, so staying healthy will be an absolute priority. If he can get back to his pre-2010 form, with an OBP in the mid .350's and the speed to steal 20-30 bases he'll be a massive boost for this offense.

Nick Markakis put up a fine .298/.363/.471 triple-slash in 2012, but was only able to play 104 games, as a hamate bone problem and fractured thumb put him on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He's an extremely able hitter who hits for average, draws walks and has 15 home run power to go with it. If he can stay healthy all season, this Orioles line-up gets an instant boost. Chris Davis had his best season yet in 2012,  playing a career high 139 games and putting up a .270/.326/.501 triple-slash with 33 homers. He still strikes out far too much to be a high average hitter, but with the departure of Mark Reynolds he will have a full time job and a chance to prove the power is legitimate. J.J. Hardy won his first gold glove in 2012, but actually had a poor season at the plate, with just a .238 average and .282 OBP. The 22 home runs were nice, but Hardy will need to bump up that average before he can become an elite shortstop. Nolan Reimold has also struggled with injuries and inconsistencies over the past few seasons, playing just 16 games in 2012, but he has the potential to hit for an average near .300 with some pop. This line-up depends a lot on the production of Adam Jones and Matt Wieters, and whilst it has a lot of upside if everyone stays healthy, that has been a real problem for the Orioles in recent years. Overall grade: 6/10.

Pitching

Jason Hammel had a breakout season in 2012 with the Orioles, posting a 3.43 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, although he made just 20 starts as knee surgery in July slowed him down. Wei-Yin Chen was also a pleasant surprise in his first year in an Orioles uniform, as he owned a 4.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 192 innings, becoming somewhat of a workhorse in the rotation. The strikeout rate is healthy, and if he can cut down on the home runs he may see that ERA dip into the mid-3's. Miguel Gonzalez started 15 games last season for the Orioles, and owned an impressive 3.25 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, although some regression is likely in order as hitters begin to adapt to his style and sequence. Jake Arrieta struggled in 2012, with a 6.20 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 114 innings. He does have decent strikeout stuff, but he'll need to reduce the hit rate or he'll find himself thrown out of the rotation. The 5th spot will go to Chris Tillman who had a big season in 2012, with a 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 85 innings. Tillman had always promised a breakout season, but it finally came to fruition last season and he'll look to continue that this year, with a possible uptick in strikeouts on the horizon.

Last season, the Orioles bullpen was one of the best in the Majors, with 29 year old Jim Johnson leading the way. Unlike most closers, Johnson does not have great strikeout stuff, but he produces a ton of groundballs and gave up just three homers in 68 innings. Repeating the 51 save stat may be tough, but he should continue to be an effective end-game option. Pedro Strop also had a great season as Johnson's main set-up man, with a 2.44 ERA and 1.34 WHIP as part of a 2 win season. He was particularly effective with his knockout curveball that limited opponents to a .148 average. Darren O'Day also had a great first season in Baltimore, as his heavy sinker paved the way for a 2.28 ERA and 0.94 WHIP as he boasted a 7-1 record out of the bullpen. Luis Ayala, Troy Patton and Brian Matusz are likely to complete a formidable bullpen that will try to repeat last years heroics. Overall, the pitching rotation lacks a legitimate ace, although if Chris Tillman can continue his fine form he may be the stud innings-eater the Orioles have long been searching for. As long as the rotation can keep the team in games, the bullpen should be able to complete the job, as a good assortment of arms will try to build off last year's success. Overall grade: 6/10.

Prospects

The two biggest prospects in this Orioles system are a pair of dominant right-handed starters. The further developed of this pair is Dylan Bundy, who tore apart the minors last year despite being told not to use his best pitch whilst he works on his off-speed stuff. His fastball command and velocity are excellent, and his cutter is one of the best pitches in the minors. He's still a bit raw, but if he can polish off the breaking pitches and change-ups in the early part of this season he'll find his way into the rotation before long. Like Bundy, Kevin Gausman went with the fourth overall pick (but in 2012) and he was mighty impressive in his short time in the Minors last season. He also dominated hitters in Spring Training this year, with an excellent fastball, hard-breaking slider and true out-pitch change-up that allows him to put lefties away with ease. He still needs a fair amount of developing, but the idea of him and Bundy leading the big league rotation in 2014 and beyond is a scary one for other AL East teams. Third-base prospect Jonathan Schoop has also turned some heads, in the minors and in the WBC, and he projects to make a formidable left-side of the infield with Machado. Other than those three prospects, the Orioles are lacking real depth, but with the way they have drafted in recent years this could be a farm system that shoots up the rankings soon. Overall grade: 6/10.

Overview

There's no doubt about it, the Orioles needed a large slice of luck to win 93 games last season. But to dismiss them as a fluke or a one-year wonder would be insulting a team that has quietly improved recently. The line-up has the potential to battle it out with most others in the American League, and whilst the rotation is far from dominant, there are some high-upside arms coming through the system that could make this team highly competitive sooner rather than later. With the AL East so competitive this season, I don't think they'll repeat the 2012 heroics. But I don't think they'll embarrass themselves either.

Prediction: 77-85

Gif to Watch

Tied game, top of the ninth inning. Two outs and a man at second, with one of the most dangerous AL hitters at the plate in the form of Evan Longoria. He hits a slow chopper down the third base line, and 20 year old Manny Machado charges and scoops it up bare-handed. Even if he makes an accurate, off-balance throw, Longoria might be safe, and if he misses the bag, Rich Thompson will come home to score. So what he does is...

30 in 30: Minnesota Twins

After yesterday's double-bill, we complete the AL Central today with a look at the Minnesota Twins.

2012 Season

After dominating the AL Central between 2000 and 2010, winning six division titles, the Twins have rather fallen into the shadows in recent years. They got off to an awful start, falling back 10-24 and were never able to recover, just avoiding the ignominy of losing 100 games with a 66-96 record which left them last in the division. Joe Mauer put up another big season, hitting .319 with a .416 OBP and new signing Josh Willingham had the best year of his career, putting up a .260/.366/.524 triple-slash with 35 dingers. On the mound, the Twins struggled once again, trading the inconsistent Liriano midway through the season. Their best pitcher was probably left-hander Scott Diamond who recorded a 3.54 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 173 innings. Overall, it was a disappointing year for the Twins, but no less so than was expected.

Off-Season Moves

IN: Kevin Correia, Vance Worley, Mike Pelfrey, Trevor May, Alex Meyer
OUT: Denard Span, Ben Revere, Matt Capps, Alexi Casilla

Overview: The Twins are never likely to make a huge splash in the free agent pool, and they went about their business quietly this off-season. Span had been a solid lead-off hitter, but they were able to acquire prospect Alex Meyer in the trade, so it made sense from a baseball standpoint. Ben Revere was also traded, in return for Worley and May which helps their rotation now and gives them another standout pitching prospect. Overall, there were some patch-up acquisitions for the rotation and a couple of trades that were probably always going to happen. It's possible Mauer gets traded at some stage before the deadline, but as 'Mr. Minnesota', he's earned a place in the fans hearts. Overall grade: 3/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
CF	Aaron Hicks	.317/.358/1.8
2B	Brian Dozier	.300/.372/1.0
C	Joe Mauer	.407/.452/4.4
LF	Josh Willingham	.354/.479/2.3
1B	Justin Morneau	.348/.459/1.3
RF	Chris Parmelee	.274/.359/0.5
DH	Ryan Doumit	.328/.449/0.2
3B	Trevor Plouffe	.302/.444/1.0
SS	Pedro Florimon	.306/.343/0.3

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	Vance Worley	113/4.06/2.0
2	Kevin Correia	176/4.09/1.1
3	Mike Pelfrey	106/4.83/0.9
4	Liam Hendriks	113/3.82/0.8
5	Scott Diamond	196/4.41/2.2

Position Players

The best player in the line-up is left-handed catcher Joe Mauer. Mauer is a constant threat for the batting title, with great strikeout rates and an innate ability to make hard, line drive contact. He couples this with elite plate discipline to possess OBP's that go to .400 and beyond. The 28 home run power from 2009 may never return, but he's still a superb player. Aaron Hicks has secured the starting center field and lead-off job after a stellar spring, and whilst he has excellent tools in the outfield, and enough patience to sustain a decent OBP he may need adjustment after making a two-grade jump from AA. Brian Dozier struggled a lot in his rookie season, with a .234/.271/.332 triple-slash, and if he wants to retain a spot atop the line-up he'll need to improve all three stat lines.

Justin Morneau was able to stay healthy for most of the 2012 season, which was a nice surprise, but was unable to rediscover his pre-2011 form. The 19 home runs were below his usual standard, and both the average and OBP was lower than we have come to expect. Morneau might bounce back this season, and at age 31 he still has plenty of time to do so. Chris Parmelee has struggled for consistent playing time over the past couple of seasons, but he's shown in the minors that he can hit for a decent average and draw enough walks to be productive even if the bat isn't hot. There's not a lot of power or speed, but he is a reasonable enough fill-in for the Twins. Ryan Doumit put up a handy .275/.320/.461 triple-slash last season with good power at 18 homers, and he allows Mauer a day at DH or first base. He won't compete for an MVP award any time soon, but he's an important cog. Trevor Plouffe showed off his considerable power in 2012, with 24 homers, but the .301 OBP is cause for concern. Overall, this is a line-up that relies a lot on the production of Mauer, Willingham and Morneau, so if they all click it could be potent, but guys like Plouffe and Parmelee will need to step up otherwise. Overall grade: 4/10.

Pitching

The Twins acquired Worley as part of the Ben Revere trade, and it appears he will be their opening day starter. After his excellent 2011 campaign, Worley regressed a little last season with a 4.20 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, but he still strikes out a lot of hitters and should be helped out by the spacious confines of Target Field. Kevin Correia had a solid 2012 season in Pittsburgh, with a 4.21 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 171 innings. He doesn't have great strikeout stuff, but he should chew up some innings for the Twins without hurting them. Mike Pelfrey made just three starts with the Mets last season before having season ending Tommy John surgery, but the 6 foot 7 right-hander will look to go back to an ERA in the mid-3's. Liam Hendriks struggled with the Twins in 2012, giving up 17 home runs in 85 innings and if he can't find his form he may find the more consistent Cole de Vries taking his spot.

When Matt Capps went down with a shoulder injury, Glen Perkins filled the role of closer, and did so admirably, saving 16 games with a 2.56 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Jared Burton also filled in with some saves, and his sparkling 2.18 ERA and 0.92 WHIP owe much to a heavy fastball that limited opponents to a .228 batting average. Josh Roenicke arrives in Minnesota after two seasons with the Rockies, and will look to improve upon his 2-win 2012 season. Casey Fien impressed in the second half of 2012, with a 2.06 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 35 innings, walking just nine hitters, and he'll become a more integral part of the bullpen this season. Other than that, the bullpen was a disappointment, as part of an overall staff that simply doesn't have enough strikeout stuff. The cavernous dimensions of Target Field will help them to a certain extent, but I don't see an ace who can miss bats and win 15 games this year. Overall grade: 2/10.

Prospects

If there is one thing for Twins fans to be optimistic about, it's the farm system. The Twins are stacked with top talent at all levels, thanks to several seasons of wise trading, drafting and developing. The biggest prospect is power hitting third baseman Miguel Sano. He has shown flashes of excellent approach at the plate, with good discipline that allows him to tap into monstrous power. Having only reached single-A last season, he still has some growing to do, but he should be a key cog in the future Twins line-ups. The Twins are loaded with center field prospects, from the aforementioned Aaron Hicks to 2012 draftee Byron Buxton who has stacks of speed but needs to improve his raw hitting. For 2013, the other impact player looks set to be right-hander Kyle Gibson who will be recuperating after Tommy John but still has elite stuff. In several seasons time, this healthy system will start to reap benefits on the field, and the Twins need to continue this 'build for the future' strategy this season. Overall grade: 9/10.

Overview

The Twins were the worst team in the worst division in baseball last season, although that makes them sound worse than they really are. The line-up lacks any star sluggers beyond Joe Mauer, with little depth on the infield. The rotation will once more be a problem area for the Twins, and unless some of the younger players hit their peak earlier than expected it looks set to be another long season in Minnesota. The fans can console themselves with the knowledge, however, that the farm is stacked, and success may not be too far away.

Prediction: 65-97

Gif to Watch

A bizarre moment occurred in a Rangers-Twins game in Arlington last season, when a huge clap of thunder sent players running for their lives. If you haven't seen the clip with sound I suggest you seek it out, the reactions of batter, catcher and base-runner are particularly amusing.

30 in 30: Kansas City Royals

Three teams down in the AL Central, and we head to Kansas City and take a look at the Royals

2012 Season

The Royals 2012 season promised much but was ultimately disappointed as they fell to a 72-90 record, that was only good for third in the division because of the weakness of the AL Central. Two months ultimately ruined the Royals season, as they went 13-34 in April and July. They lost 12 in a row at one stage early in the season, falling to a 3-14 record and were never able to truly recover. Eric Hosmer struggled with the bat in his sophomore campaign, whilst the rotation never really had any consistency. The star hitter for the Royals was DH Billy Butler who put up a .313/.373/.510 triple-slash with 29 homers whilst the young bullpen showed good promise, with Greg Holland filling the full-time closer role and young fireballer Kelvin Herrera providing another reliable option. Overall, however, it was a disappointing year, and the clear off-season report from the front office is that winning is now necessary.

Off-Season Moves

IN: James Shields, Wade Davis, Ervin Santana, George Kottaras
OUT: Wil Myers, Jeremy Jeffress, Jake Odorizzi, Joakim Soria

Overview: Royals front office was obviously told that the 'building for the future' plan was now over, and that it was time to start winning. Having spent several years meticulously and patiently building their farm system through trades and drafts, they traded one of their biggest prospects Wil Myers for James Shields and Wade Davis. Myers is a power-hitting outfielder who by all accounts is big league ready, but with the Royals struggling on the mound they traded him away for veteran Shields and workhorse Davis. Personally, I don't like the trade. I understand the desire to compete, but Myers had spent three years in the farm system and was ready to contribute now to the Royals line-up, and he could have easily become one of their best hitters. As it is, they've traded away a likely future all-star for an inconsistent 31 year old pitcher who has ace stuff. I would have been more patient. Santana bolsters the rotation too, although he'll need to prove it's his second half performances (3.58 and 3.68 ERA's in August and September) that are his real performances, not the ugly -1.5 WAR for the entire season. Overall grade: 3/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
LF	Alex Gordon	.366/.457/3.7
SS	Alcides Escobar	.314/.365/2.2
DH	Billy Butler	.368/.490/2.9
3B	Mike Moustakas	.316/.455/3.0
C	Salvador Perez	.329/.456/3.3
1B	Eric Hosmer	.342/.442/1.6
RF	Jeff Francoeur	.314/.418/0.8
CF	Lorenzo Cain	.332/.424/1.5
2B	Chris Getz	.327/.337/0.2

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	James Shields	218/3.67/3.1
2	Jeremy Guthrie	197/4.20/0.8
3	Ervin Santana	205/4.04/0.3
4	Wade Davis	153/4.34/1.4
5	Luis Mendoza	193/4.62/0.5

Position Players

Aside from Billy Butler, the best hitter in this line-up is probably Alex Gordon. In the past couple of years, Gordon has quietly become one of the more consistent outfielders in baseball, with an average that challenges .300, enough walks to challenge a .375 OBP and around 60-70 extra-base hits. He also plays excellent defense out in left field, so if he can reduce the strikeouts, turn a few doubles into homers and keep that average close to .300 he'll be a stud this season. Alcides Escobar had a breakout season, hitting .293 and stealing 35 bases to go with his elite defense, although whether he can sustain that average without great plate discipline or power remains to be seen. Mike Moustakas struggled to get on base in 2012, striking out 124 times and posting just a .296 OBP. However, he was able to swat 20 homers and figures to be at the heart of the line-up against right handers.

Young catcher Salvador Perez has been a popular name on people's lips to start this season, as his excellent performances last year have begun to be recognised. He hit .301 with 11 homers in 76 games, thanks largely to a minuscule strikeout rate (he had as many home runs as strikeouts against left-handed pitchers last season) . Unlike other players with low strikeout rates, he makes hard contact however, consistently hitting line drives which fuels his high average. His work behind the plate is also excellent, as he threw out 15 of 40 stealers last year and led all catchers with five pickoffs. Hosmer had a disaster sophomore campaign but is just too good a young slugger to stay down for long, so I like him to bounce back this season (he's only 23!). Francoeur became a popular name to criticise in 2012, as he recorded a shocking -2.7 WAR whilst on a sizeable contract. He'll be a Royal again this season, and should at least improve back towards his 2011 offensive stats whilst retaining his cannon arm from right field. Lorenzo Cain promised a monster season in Spring Training last year, but once again struggled with injuries. If he can stay on the field, he's an impact player both at the plate and in the field. Overall, this is a line-up that has strengths, but a propensity to strike out. The young guys need to start taking big steps forward, or the lack of on-base specialists may begin to show. Overall grade: 5/10.

Pitching

This pitching staff hasn't had a true ace since mid-2011 when it traded Zack Greinke to the Brewers, but it got something like an ace when the Royals acquired James Shields in the off-season. Shields was poor in 2010 (5.18 ERA) but downright dominant in 2011 (2.82). His true value is somewhere in between, and the Royals will be happy if he can replicate his 2012 stat line, with 227 innings pitched, a 3.52 ERA and 223 K's. He pitches deep into games, and the Royals will be hoping he wins 15+ as their number one guy. Jeremy Guthrie was actually a lot better after being traded to the Royals from the Rockies, with a 3.16 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 14 starts. His ERA is probably going to be somewhere closer to 4, but he should be a solid innings eater. Wade Davis has moved between the rotation and the bullpen in recent seasons for Tampa Bay, but looks set to be the Royals fourth starter this year. His stuff isn't overpowering, but he can be a solid workhorse who won't hurt the team. Finishing off the rotation will be Luis Mendoza, who beat Bruce Chen to the fifth spot in Spring Training. Mendoza improved after the all-star break last season, but won't win many games on his own and needs to reduce his walk rate in order to become a reliable fifth starter.

After Jonathan Broxton's mid-season trade last year, Greg Holland took over the full time closer role and pitched well, saving 16 games with a 2.96 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. His strikeout rate is monstrous (91 K's in 67 innings) though he'll need to cut down on the walks before he can become a truly elite 9th inning option. Kelvin Herrera looks set to be his main set-up man, after posting a strong 2.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 84 innings last year. His average fastball speed was 98.6 miles per hour last season, and it is the fastball/change-up combination that has made him so deadly. The lefty specialist will be 5 foot 7 inch 23 year old Tim Collins, who spent most of his early career convincing scouts he could be an effective pitcher despite his small frame. He was excellent for the Royals in 2012, with a 3.36 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 69 innings and he'll look to continue that fine work this season. Aaron Crow and Bruce Chen look like other likely candidates to finish off this bullpen, one of the more underrated relief corps in the American League. Overall, the pitching staff is still the clear weakness on this team. Shields is a big upgrade, but all four other pitchers have issues, and getting to the 6th or 7th inning with the game on the line may be tough to do. If they are able to do that, however, they have the relievers to see the game through. Excitingly, all of these late inning guys are pretty young, so further growth could be expected. Overall grade: 3/10.

Prospects

The Royals have drafted and developed superbly over the last few seasons, which is the main reason why they still have a strong system despite graduating Hosmer, Moustakas, Perez, Holland and Herrera as well as trading Wil Myers and Mike Montgomery over the past couple of seasons. The stud prospect is right-hand pitcher Kyle Zimmer who has a plus fastball to go with an excellent curveball and above-average changeup. He's had some lofty comparisons made by scouts, and could be the ace the Royals have been seeking for years. Their other top prospect is toolsy outfielder Bubba Starling who's yet to really fulfil the potential he was given on draft day. He's a speedy runner who has excellent raw power and can man center field capably. However, he has struggled with strikeouts, although if he is able to adapt a little over the next couple of seasons, he could become a very productive slugger. For 2013, John Lamb may be a rotation option in the second half after recovering from 2011 Tommy John surgery and Yordano Ventura and Sam Selman may find their way into the bullpen at some stage. The top prospect, Wil Myers is no longer part of the system, and KC will look to fill that hole with a strong draft. Overall grade: 6/10.

Overview

The Royals didn't live up to some of the expectations given to them last season, and whilst I think the off-season moves has made the team worse in the long run, there is no denying that they should have a positive impact for 2013. If Shields can be a legitimate ace, and the rest of the rotation can piece together 700 innings with a sub-four ERA then this team could remain in contention up until September, but ultimately they are still a season or two away from truly competing.

Prediciction: 77-85

Gif to Watch

The GIF for the Royals in this preview is a mad game ending play against the Cardinals. The Royals kick the ball around the infield allowing Greene to scamper home for the game-tying run except that Moustakas throws an absolute strike from the dugout and Quintero applies a tag for a wild final out.

30 in 30: Detroit Tigers

With the Indians and White Sox out of the way, we take a look at last year's World Series loser, the Detroit Tigers

2012 Season

Entering the 2012 season, Detroit was a popular pick for the World Series ring, having acquired free agent first baseman Prince Fielder to go with an already potent line-up. During the regular season, they were a bit of a disappointment, finishing May with just a 38-40 record, and needing a 34-24 record in the final few months to see them over the line with the AL title, a final record of 88-74 enough for them to do so. In the post-season, they beat the Athletics in a five game thriller, rolled over the Yankees in a four game sweep and then got swept themselves by the Giants in the World Series. The star performer was undoubtedly AL MVP winner Miguel Cabrera who put up a monster .330/.393/.606 triple-slash with 44 homers on his way to the triple crown. On the mound, Justin Verlander continued from where he left off in 2011, with 17 wins, a 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 239 strikeouts as he showed no dip in form from his historic 2012 campaign.

Off-Season Moves

IN: Torii Hunter

OUT: Gerald Laird, Delmon Young, Jose Valverde, Daniel Schlereth, Ryan Raburn

Overview: After making a big splash in the 2011 off-season, the Tigers had a much quieter free agent period this year, although they addressed the one area of weakness they struggled with in 2012 by signing Torii Hunter to be their number 2 hitter. In 2012, they had a number of players try and hit between Jackson and Cabrera whilst Hunter was putting up a .313/.365/.451 triple-slash hitting second for the Angels. At the age of 37 he is well into his limelight years, but he continues to have value at the plate and in the field. None of the off-season losses were major, with all five players easily replaceable. It was a quiet off-season for the Tigers, but that was all they needed. Overall grade: 5/10.

Projected Opening Day Line-up
Position	Player	Projected stat line (OBP/SLG/WAR)
CF	Austin Jackson	.363/.442/4.1
RF	Torii Hunter	.336/.428/2.8
3B	Miguel Cabrera	.413/.595/6.5
1B	Prince Fielder	.413/.548/4.1
DH	Victor Martinez	.369/.457/1.0
LF	Andy Dirks	.335/.438/1.7
SS	Jhonny Peralta	.329/.423/2.5
C	Alex Avila	.373/.446/3.1
2B	Omar Infante	.320/.400/2.0

Projected rotation
Starter	Player	Projected stat line (IP/ERA/WAR)
1	Justin Verlander	231/3.00/5.7
2	Max Scherzer	191/3.72/3.7
3	Doug Fister	212/3.69/3.1
4	Anibal Sanchez	201/3.72/2.8
5	Rick Porcello	178/4.50/2.4

Position Players

This potent line-up is led by third baseman Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera has extraordinary ability with the bat, racking up an average above .292 every season since 2004. He doesn't strike out at a particularly high rate, and draws his fair share of walks, but it is his power that sets him aside as he led the Majors in home runs last year with 44. He destroys anything inside the strike zone, can take pitches the other way and has proven to be extremely durable, so despite poor defense at third base, he is one of the best players in baseball. Ably batting behind him is first baseman Prince Fielder, whose game has changed notably in the last couple of seasons. His years of challenging 50 homers are probably behind him, especially in Comerica Park, but he has hit for an average greater than .299 for two seasons in a row and actually drew more walks than strikeouts in 2012. Austin Jackson had a breakout year last season, hitting .300 with a .377 OBP from the lead-off spot, and whilst the speed was down he looked like having 20 homer power. In the outfield he is one of the best defensive players in the Majors, pulling off highlight reel catches every night in center.

Victor Martinez missed the entire 2012 season with an ACL injury, and will likely spend most of the season as the full-time designated hitter. He has excellent contact ability from both sides of the plate, and is a good bet to bat around the .300 mark. How much power he has is a different question, but somewhere in the 10-20 home run range seems about right in his first year back. Andy Dirks didn't get much consistent playing time in 2012, sharing outfield spots with the likes of Quintin Berry, Brennan Boesch and Delmon Young. Despite that, he put up a .322/.370/.487 triple-slash in 88 games and appears to have secured himself a full-time role. Regression is due, but if he can come close to that kind of stat line the Tigers will be thrilled. Alex Avila struggled for much of 2012, hitting just .243 (although his OBP was over 100 points higher) and struggling with a variety of injuries. He'll look to bounce back this year, and a season like his 2011 performance (.295/.389/.506 triple-slash) would make this line-up even better. Neither Peralta nor Infante are likely to be pushing for an all-star spot this year, but both have proven durable with reasonably production and average defense, although the middle infield is probably one area where the Tigers will look to improve. Overall, this is a line-up with a pair of studs at it's heart, speed and on-base ability up top and no clear weakness. The defense looks like it will be shaky, but runs will not be hard to come by. Overall grade: 8/10.

Pitching

The staff is led by perennial Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander, who turned in another dominant 30 starts in 2012. His stuff is some of the best in the Majors, with a fastball that increases in velocity as he gets deeper into games, a filthy breaking ball and a change-up that puts left-handed hitters away with ease. He has been a real workhorse over the past few seasons for Detroit, and that looks likely to continue as Verlander is at the peak of his career. Behind him is the steadily improving Max Scherzer, who posted a 3.74 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 2012. He also has an overpowering fastball and devastating slider, and whilst the finer arts of pitching may still need crafting, he struck out 231 hitters in 187 innings in 2012. Doug Fister struggled with injury at the start of the season, but found his form midway through to post a 3.45 ERA in 161 innings. Primarily a groundball pitcher, he had an uptick in strikeouts last year including one memorable game against KC where he struck out nine in a row. Anibal Sanchez arrived in Detroit after a mid-season trade from Miami, and he impressed in his short time with the Tigers, particularly in the post-season. He won't blow hitters away, but should be a reliable innings eater with good ERA and WHIP numbers. Finally, Rick Porcello held onto his spot as the fifth starter with a strong Spring Training performance, but will have Drew Smyly breathing down his neck if he is unable to find his groove.

The bullpen was an area of weakness for Detroit last year, especially in the post-season, thanks largely to the shakiness of Jose Valverde who's 3.78 ERA and 5 blown saves were a far cry from his perfect 2011 season. They have given Bruce Rondon, the fireballing right-hander, a Spring audition, but his demotion to AAA appears to pave the way for a 'closer by committee' approach. Among that committee will be Joaquin Benoit who was solid in 2012, pitching in 73 games and posting a 3.68 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, but he is yet to really find his groove. Al Alburquerque missed most of last season, but his September outings were promising, as he only gave up an earned run in his final start against KC. Phil Coke was the closer in the post-season, and he did a pretty good job whilst he was there, but that could mask the fact he had a poor regular season, with a 4.00 ERA and 1.65 WHIP, although he figures to be the team's primary left-handed option. Veteran Octavio Dotel (now with his 13th franchise) will also get the nod in key situations, and his 3.57 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 2012 were solid enough to give him one of his best years for a long time. Overall, this is one of the best rotations in the Majors. Verlander is a legitimate ace, both Scherzer and Fister have the potential to record ERA's in the low-3's and Sanchez is a reliable innings-eater. The bullpen is a bit more questionable, but if Leyland is able to pick the hot hand and play the right match-ups then there is no reason not to think they can close out more games than they blow. Overall grade: 8/10.

Prospects

The Tigers last top-40 pick was all the way back in 2009, as their drafting plans have been ravaged by trades and free agent signings. As a consequence, the system is pretty bare with the main prospect Nick Castellanos, one of the purest hitting youngsters in the minors. He has the ability to hit for average and down the line 20-30 home run power, although his primary position of third base is currently taken up by Miguel Cabrera. Moving him to left field seems to be the main plan, but that takes away considerable value, especially given Cabrera is pretty poor at the hot corner himself. Avisail Garcia and Bruce Rondon seem to be the two prospects most likely to contribute this season. The former is an outfielder with a good hit tool, but not enough plate discipline to allow him to truly access his power potential. The aforementioned Rondon can run his fastball up above 102mph, but there are concerns over his command and injury history, so he will at least start the season in the Minors. Other than those three, there is little to get excited about for Tigers fans, and they'll be hoping a strong draft is coming this year. Overall grade: 3/10.

Overview

The Tigers struggled during the regular season in 2012, and still ended up winning the division by a few games. With Martinez back on the field and a full season of Sanchez in the rotation, I don't think they'll struggle. Cabrera, Fielder, Jackson and Martinez are all excellent contributors with the lumber, and in Verlander/Scherzer/Fister/Sanchez they have one of the best rotations in the AL. If everything goes right, this team could win the most games in baseball, but as it is I think they'll coast to the play-offs without winning 100 games.

Prediction: 96-66

Gif to Watch

There are few sights in baseball more attractive than a back-door breaking ball for strike three, and there are few pitchers in baseball who pull it off with the same regularity and pomp as Justin Verlander: