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1. Nationals
Most talented rotation in the majors, deep lineup, depth. Re-signing Adam
LaRoche to add another lefty power bat will help.
2. Reds
Superb rotation could be better if the Aroldis Chapman transition works,
bullpen is deep enough to absorb his loss and Shin-Soo Choo provides a needed
leadoff hitter.
3. Yankees
I think they can stretch things out more season with a deep rotation,
excellent bullpen and power. Remember, they had the largest run differential
in the American League last season.
4. Tigers
Deep rotation, great 1-2 punch with Miggy and Prince, and Torii Hunter and
Victor Martinez should improve the lineup.
5. Braves
Left-handed power, power bullpen and a young team that could improve from
last year's 94 wins.
6. Blue Jays
Addition of Dickey adds a needed No. 1 to a rotation that could be dominant
if Josh Johnson and Brandon Morrow remain healthy.
7. A's
Young teams that show big improvement are usually for real, and this team has
a solid rotation, a strong outfield and power arms in the bullpen.
8. Dodgers
Have to love the Clayton Kershaw-Zack Greinke combo and an offense with big
upside if Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez come close to 2011 levels.
9. Rangers
I think the rotation is playoff-caliber with Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Derek
Holland, Alexi Ogando, Martin Perez and Colby Lewis.
10. Cardinals
Have to replace Kyle Lohse, but they'll score plenty of runs as long as
Carlos Beltran (36 years old in April) and Matt Holliday (33 in January) keep
producing.
11. Rays
Still some holes in the lineup, and replacing James Shields' 220-plus innings
won't be that easy, but underestimate the Rays at your own risk.
12. Angels
Oddsmaker Bovada.lv has the Angels with the second-best odds to win the World
Series (behind the Blue Jays), but I see a rotation with a lot of question
marks behind Jered Weaver, and Josh Hamilton only replaces Hunter, who was
terrific in 2012.
13. Giants
I discussed my issues with the Giants here. I could be wrong, although our
friends at Bovada only put the Giants tied for ninth in their World Series
odds.
14. Diamondbacks
Their run differential wasn't much different than the Giants last year, and
they've added Brandon McCarthy, infield depth and still have Justin Upton.
15. Phillies
I want to say we're all underestimating a team that includes Cole Hamels,
Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, but then I see an outfield of Darin Ruf, Ben
Revere and Domonic Brown, and an infield defense that includes Michael Young
and Ryan Howard and 30-somethings Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.
16. Brewers
They can score runs