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This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on Jan. 23, and ending on Feb. 22 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, the offseason changes since then and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the American League East, worked across to the National League, tackled the Central divisions, and now jump to the AL West, going in alphabetical order. Next up, the St. Louis Cardinals.

2012 finish: 55-107 (6th place, NL Central)

Notable additions

Left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard, right-handed pitcher Jose Veras, RHP Phil Humber, RHP Alex White, RHP John Ely, RHP Brad Peacock, outfielder Rick Ankiel, designated hitter Carlos Pena, firstbaseman Chris Carter and catcher Max Stassi

Notable losses

LHP Rob Rasmussen, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Wilton Lopez, RHP Fernando Rodriguez, OF Jordan Schaefer, shortstop Jed Lowrie and C Chris Snyder

Why they will improve this year

Because they could play with blindfolds on and win 56 games. In all seriousness, the Astros have decimated their roster and have an overall payroll equal to some individual player salaries. There is a method to the madness, and I think we’ll start seeing glimpses of the process working in 2013.

The infield is loaded with former top prospects like Matt Dominguez at third base, Brett Wallace at first base and Tyler Greene at shortstop. A young rotation has some surprising pieces with very high potential. And Justin Maxwell in center field could do some damage if he cuts down on strikeouts.

Astros fans can presume that they’ll get a good effort from Jose Altuve, but some help from the corner outfielders would go a long way in 2013. And while the bullpen struggled last year, they’ve added Veras to the closer’s role in order to attempt stabilizing the later innings.

Even with the likelihood of a last-place finish in their first season in the American League, the Astros are on the right track. I think they will improve from being the worst-hitting team in baseball a year ago and at least give fans a few reasons to show up to the ball park. When their large crop of top-flight Triple-A talent gets the call, that reason to show will be multiplied.

Why they will regress this year

Besides Altuve, the Astros have zero star power. Their most famous (and highest-paid) player on the payroll is Wandy Rodriguez, who’s now in Pittsburgh! And though “star power,” whatever that means, doesn’t equal wins, it does mean that the roster is young, anonymous, and inexperienced. Unless guys like Dominguez, Wallace and Jason Castro break out, south of 60 wins is very possible again.

The offense should improve a little bit, especially after recently adding Carter, but how is a middle of the order with two legitimate power threats going to intimidate anyone? Especially when Pena also hits around .200 every year with a million strikeouts, making the power almost worthless?

I like the starting rotation, but it’s still not nearly ready. Bud Norris may be traded before the season starts, which would slide Humber to the number three spot. Any team with him in the top three of their rotation is asking for a long, long season.

Even if Lucas Harrell and Jordan Lyles build off their 2012 seasons, you’re talking about two No. 4 starters right now, at best. What I’m most worried about it the Astros’ bullpen, which seems to be in shambles. After posting a cumulative 4.46 ERA and league-leading .274 batting average against in 2012, will the addition of Veras be enough to help stabilize the ‘pen? I don’t think so.

The outlook for 2013

It’s not saying much, but I do expect the Astros to improve slightly. Given that they went on a Wal-Mart shopping spree this winter to bring in cheap prospects and dump anyone who was making seven figures, that’s not really a negative assessment. Every player in that clubhouse needs to recognize that 2013 is a rebuilding year, and that their goal should be to improve their individual all-around games.

Unfortunately, it means that 2013 will be another very frustrating season for the Astros faithful. On the bright side, diehard fans have a couple guys to really look forward to. If Greene hadn’t fumbled away a spot in St. Louis, he might be on the path to stardom right now, and Maxwell has as much athleticism as anyone in the outfield.

Lyles, Jarred Cosart and Dallas Keuchel all should have a spot in the rotation, if only to keep fans ecstatic about the rotation’s future. Cosart and Lyles, could especially have surprisingly productive years for a pair of 23-year-olds. The revolving door of exciting young starters (don’t forget about Ely, White and Peacock in Triple-A) will be extremely fun to track.

So, will it be painful to watch? Yes. Will the ‘Stros end up on the wrong side of the scoreboard more often than not? Yes. Will it be like watching a Triple-A team play most of the time? Yes. Will it be boring, then? Absolutely not. Keep an eye on some of the young talents in Houston, because that alone is worth the ride. 

It’s the opinion of this writer that the Astros do not lose 100 games again, finishing with an eight-game improvement over 2012 and starting the very slow climb from the cellar back to contention. It’s a last-place finish in 2013, but it could be paving the way to contention in a few short years when top prospects like Jonathan Singleton, Carlos Correa and George Springer join the club.

Potential changes before Opening Day

As previously mentioned, the Astros might look into trading Norris for prospects. And with the recent announcement of Cardinals’ ace Chris Carpenter missing the 2013 season, St. Louis would be a great trading partner. Even getting one high-potential hitter who has been struggling in Double-A would be worth it for the Astros.

Ken Rosenthal reported on FOXSports.com (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com) that, because of Norris’ low ($3 million in 2013, highest-paid member of the 40-man roster) salary and contact status (under team control until 2015) he is an attractive option on the last-second pitching market for the Cardinals, as well as San Diego and Baltimore.

Biggest surprise: Cosart.

Biggest disappointment: Pena.

Bold prediction: Altuve hits .315, steals 40 bags.

Projected lineup

1. Altuve, 2B

2. Fernando Martinez, RF

3. Carter, LF

4. Pena, DH

5. Wallace, 1B

6. Maxwell, CF

7. Castro, C

8. Greene, SS

9. Dominguez, 3B

Projected rotation

1. Harrell, RHP

2. Norris, RHP

3. Lyles, RHP

4. Bedard, LHP

5. Humber, RHP

Projected finish: 63-99, 5th place

*Teams [in brackets] have not yet been evaluated.

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on Jan. 23, 2013, and ending on Feb. 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East, worked across to the NL counterpart, and now, tackle the Central divisions in alphabetical order. Next up, the Milwaukee Brewers.

2012 finish: 83-79 (3rd place, NL Central)

Notable additions

LHP Michael Gonzalez, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Burke Badenhop, RHP Kelvim Escobar, IF Bobby Crosby, 3B Donnie Murphy

Notable losses

LHP Manny Parra, RHP Fautino De Los Santos, RHP Livan Hernandez, RHP Jose Veras, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Shaun Marcum, OF Raul Mondesi Jr., OF Nyjer Morgan, 1B Travis Ishikawa, C Yorvit Torrealba

Why they will improve this year

Did you see the way this team finished down the stretch in 2012? After the comically terrible bullpen stopped blowing every lead the team put together, the Brewers became one of the scariest teams in all of baseball. It was too little too late last year, but if they maintain that momentum, watch out.

It really was a shame for Brewers fans last year that the bullpen was so horrendous for most of the season.  The lineup is absolutely stacked and there is a ton of young starting pitching to be excited about. They may not have made the playoffs anyway last year, but Milwaukee is extremely dangerous in 2013.

The rotation is headed by the always-good Yovani Gallardo. He backed by several young talents, not the least of which is 23-year-old Wily Peralta, who had a 2.48 ERA in five starts last year. Marco Estrada struck out 143 batters and walked just 29 in 138.1 innings last season. Even Michael Fiers, who faded down the stretch in 2012, is a dangerous fourth starter.

From the left side, the only real option Milwaukee has is Chris Narveson, but I think Mark Rogers lands the final spot anyway. With great, young starting pitching in place and a bullpen that turned a corner late last year, the Brewers might have the pitching staff to finally complement their hard-hitting offense.

Why they will regress this year

There are a ton of question marks in Milwaukee. Most importantly, will Ryan Braun beat the PED rumors for a second time? If not, he faces a suspension that would most likely sink the Brewers’ chances right from the get-go. He is the heart and soul of the team, and I’m not sure the rest of the lineup can maintain its stature if he is out for extended time.

As for the pitching staff, it does boast some exciting young talent. But unless all the stars align, not all of the guys I listed above will have breakout years. Personally, I’m expecting a good year from Fiers and an above-average campaign from Estrada. I don’t think Rogers and Peralta are quite ready.They might get knocked around in their first full seasons.

The bullpen did step up down the stretch, but it’s still the same ‘pen (plus or minus a couple players) that was the worst in the league for a large chunk of 2012. Can the Brew Crew rely on a lot of those same guys to be shut-down, impact guys in 2013?

And lastly, the rest of the lineup is full of free-swinging power hitters, but none are the complete hitter that Braun is. Jonathan Lucroy might enjoy a big year, but will we see progressions or regressions from Jean Segura and Norichika Aoki? What about Mat Gamel filling in for the injured Corey Hart at first base until May? If any of those guys do regress, the lineup is significantly less dangerous.

The outlook for 2013

As a Dodgers fan, the Brewers started terrifying me down the stretch last season. They are a year older and a year better in 2013, so nobody should be taking them lately. Their season will likely hinge on the outcome of the Braun rumors and inevitable investigation. 

If Braun plays a full season, you can expect the Brewers to be in the thick of the race for the NL Wild Card at the very least. I do like the pitching staff, but I’m not sold on its depth and experience. Their most experienced starter is Gallardo, and even he is prone to bouts of wildness.

One thing I do love is how much speed is laced throughout the lineup. In 2012, the Brewers stole the most bases in the National League. They might lengthen that lead in 2013. 

The bullpen is still a worry, though I do fully expect a return to normalcy for closer John Axford, Plus, the pick-ups they made should provide a little stability.

My biggest concern, aside from Braun, lies with Segura at short, Aoki in right and the inconsistency of Carlos Gomez and Rickie Weeks offensively. 

Even if those guys struggle, a core of Braun, Hart, and Aramis Ramirez is a scary thought for opposing pitchers. I like the lineup as is, and actually expect Aoki to have another good year, Lucroy to put up surprising numbers at the plate and for Segura to at least make strides (though he probably won’t live up to expectations just yet). 

It’s the opinion of this writer that the Brewers are very close to challenging the Reds and Cardinals for NL Central supremacy. Not this year, but maybe in 2014, depending on how their next offseason goes and the development of the young pitchers this season. I’m giving the Brewers a four-win increase from last year to 87, and a third-place finish in the division.

Potential changes before Opening Day

Not a ton is going on in Milwaukee’s front office, as it has made most of the moves it was going to make before the season begins. They reportedly had some interest in Juan Rivera and Lyle Overbay, but both signed in the American League.

One thing still on the radar is the possibility of landing free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, according to beat writer Adam McCalvy (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com). I think it would be a great move for the Brewers, although the cost might be prohibitive. Adding Lohse to that rotation would give it some veteran legitimacy. Still, I don’t think Lohse ends up in Milwaukee in 2013.

Biggest surprise: Michael Fiers

Biggest disappointment: Jean Segura

Bold prediction: Brewers get 120 combined steals from Braun, Aoki, Gomez and Segura

Projected lineup (before Hart returns)

1. Norichika Aoki, RF

2. Carlos Gomez, CF

3. Ryan Braun, LF

4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

5. Jonathan Lucroy, C

6. Rickie Weeks, 2B

7. Mat Gamel, 1B

8. Jean Segura, SS

Projected rotation

1. Yovani Gallardo, RHP

2. Michael Fiers, RHP

3. Marco Estrada, RHP

4. Wily Peralta, RHP

5. Mark Rogers, RHP

Projected finish: 87-75, 3rd place 

For other preseason evaluations:

*Teams [in brackets] have not yet been evaluated.

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on Jan. 23, 2013, and ending on Feb. 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013.

Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East, worked across to the NL counterpart, and now, tackle the Central divisions in alphabetical order. Next up, the Cincinnati Reds.

2012 finish: 97-65 (1st place, NL Central—lost NLDS 3-2 to San Francisco Giants)

Notable additions

LHP Manny Parra, RHP Armando Galarraga, OF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Cesar Izturis, 3B Jack Hannahan, 3B Jason Donald, C Miguel Olivo

Notable losses

LHP Bill Bray, RHP Ryan Madson, OF Drew Stubbs, SS Didi Gregorius, SS Wilson Valdez, 3B Scott Rolen, 3B Miguel Cairo, C Dioneer Navarro

Why they will improve this year

The Reds are returning a very good team—a team I expected to represent the National League in the World Series before 2012. Losing in the playoffs had to sting, especially after losing three straight elimination games to the Giants in doing so.

But the starting rotation is still intact, the bullpen is mostly there and they upgraded in centerfield with the bat of Choo. You have to like another year of potential growth from catcher Ryan Hanigan, shortstop Zack Cozart and third baseman Todd Frazier to add to an order that already boasts Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto and Ryan Ludwick.

Cincinnati’s 2013 squad is going to score a lot of runs, and moving Aroldis Chapman to the rotation will likely help spell any shortcomings with the already-good pitching staff. Long story short, the Reds won 97 games last year with a less-talented team (and while losing Votto to a long DL stint).

In 2013, the Reds will try to at least keep pace with last year’s second-best pitching staff (including a top-ranked bullpen by ERA). The real improvement should come on offense with the acquisition of Choo, a healthy year from Votto and progression from the aforementioned young players.

Why they will regress this year

For one thing, they took one of the game’s best closers out of that role and are forcing him into a rotation spot for the sheer potential of his left arm. I get that the reward is high, but why mess with a bullpen that ranked first in the National League last year by a large margin?

While Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos are pretty sure bets atop the rotation (though I personally find Latos to be overrated in general), are we really going to see such a great season out of Bronson Arroyo again? Will Homer Bailey pitch as well as he did down the stretch last year?

And what about the new closer, Jonathan Broxton? As a Dodger fan, I’ll be the first to remind everyone how fragile the big boy becomes once he blows a save or two. If he falls into that trap again, the Reds’ investment in him will turn out to look awfully bad, and Chapman will have to revert to the closer’s role anyway.

The offense is great, but will the young guys really continue to progress? We’ve seen sophomore slumps before, and Frazier, Cozart and Hanigan are definitely not immune to it. The Reds, as a team, struck out fifth-most in 2012. Regardless of the big bats, that’s going to have to change to maintain excellence throughout the 2013 season and secure another division title.

The outlook for 2013

Who am I kidding? This team is absolutely stacked. I have no worries about the starting lineup, which will get a major boost from both Votto and Choo. I like the three youngsters games, as well, and don’t foresee much of a drop-off if any of them do regress.

The rest of the regulars are rock solid and good for consistent numbers. Bruce and Ludwick will provide the power, Phillips will drive in runs and get on base, and Choo has been one of the better, underrated hitters in the AL for a while now.

I like the rotation, but do have my concerns about the back end of it. As intriguing as Chapman is as a starter, it’s a whole different beast closing a game out in the ninth as opposed to pitching six or seven innings. Plus, it could put strain on that golden left arm.

All in all, I think the Reds are heading for a very similar season in 2013. It’s the opinion of this writer that the Reds do repeat as division champs, without a huge jump or dive in their win total from last year. The question that remains to be answered is: Have they done enough to get over that hump and move on to the World Series?

Potential changes before Opening Day

Aside from the desire to bring Scott Rolen back into the fold, Reds GM Walt Jocketty is mostly mum on any proceedings taking place before the season starts. At this point, it seems the Reds have a pretty set roster—and a scary one at that.

If the Reds are going to make any moves, they could try to add one more bullpen arm to complement the recent addition of Parra. It never hurts to have more bullpen depth, and late-inning relief could be lacking with Chapman moving to the rotation.

Biggest surprise: Ryan Hanigan

Biggest disappointment: Aroldis Chapman

Bold prediction: Billy Hamilton gets 90 appearances this year, steals 30 bases

Projected lineup

1. Shin-Soo Choo, CF

2. Brandon Phillips, 2B

3. Joey Votto, 1B

4. Ryan Ludwick, LF

5. Jay Bruce, RF

6. Todd Frazier, 3B

7. Ryan Hanigan, C

8. Zack Cozart, SS

Projected rotation

1. Johnny Cueto, RHP

2. Mat Latos, RHP

3. Bronson Arroyo, RHP

4. Homer Bailey, RHP

5. Aroldis Chapman, LHP

Projected finish: 97-65, 1st place

For other preseason evaluations:

*Teams [in brackets] have not yet been evaluated

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East, previewed its NL counterpart, and now go back to the AL and tackle the Central in alphabetical order. Next up, the Chicago White Sox.

2012 finish: 85-77 (2nd place, AL Central)

Notable additions

RHP Matt Lindstrom, RHP Ramon Troncoso, OF Ruben Sierra, Jr., 3B Jeff Keppinger

Notable losses

LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Phil Humber, RHP Brett Myers, 1B Dan Johnson, 2B Jose Lopez, 2B Orlando Hudson, 3B Kevin Youkilis, C A.J. Pierzynski

Why they will improve this year

Even though the Sox lost a few guys who were key to last year’s surprising run under rookie manager Robin Ventura, they seem to have a roster just as capable of returning to the playoff race. None of the pitchers they lost will hurt terribly, and they found an adequate replacement for the rental of Youkilis in Keppinger.

If Chicago can get full, healthy seasons from their ace Chris Sale and No. 2 guy Jake Peavy, then they will have one of the dirtiest tops of the rotations in the AL. Last year, Sale was a legitimate Cy Young candidate until he started wearing out down the stretch (2012 was his first full year as a starter in MLB).

Peavy will hopefully stay off the disabled list this year, something that has troubled him in years past because of his quirky delivery. And I’m expecting a bounce-back campaign from John Danks in the No. 3 spot in that rotation.

The pitching isn’t fantastic, but it might be good enough to keep the Sox in the hunt in 2013. If the three guys I just mentioned all put together even above-average seasons respectively, the ChiSox should make a jump from ninth in the AL in ERA last year to a more respectable, possibly playoff-bound ranking.

Why they will regress this year

Pierzynski wasn’t just a great hitter for them last year—he’s always been a solid game-caller and defender, boasting a career .995 fielding percentage. The fire and veteran leadership he brought to this squad will be hard to replace. And yes, that actually does matter in baseball.

Even though Pierzynski enjoyed a breakout year in the power department last season, he was good for 12-15 homers and about 75 RBI every season. Tyler Flowers and Hector Gimenez will not be replacing Pierzynski in any way, shape or form. Even if you combine them.

So when looking at the Sox lineup for 2013, you lose that veteran bat in Pierzynski, expect a better year out of Alexei Ramirez, can count on (health pending) production from Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn, hope for another 25 homers from Dayan Viciedo and 25 steals from Alejandro De Aza. That’s a whole lot of waiting, wishing and hoping.

The pitching staff is a whole different issue. While I do fully expect productive seasons from Peavy and Sale, I can’t say the same for the rest of the rotation. The depth, consistency and make-up just isn’t there for Chicago this year. And even in the bullpen, you can love Addison Reed and the addition of Matt Lindstrom all you want, but they still have a ways to go to become an elite unit.

The outlook for 2013

Before last season, I chose the White Sox to finish in last place in the AL Central. Clearly, I messed that one up. So you can choose to take my words with a grain of salt, but I did very well in most of my predictions. And this season, I see a similar outcome in Chicago.

Not last place, mind you, but a fourth-place finish is very possible, and I’ll even venture to say that third is a best-case scenario for Ventura’s team. I do think the offense will score runs, and I do think the top of the rotation will have solid seasons. But I can’t count on Alex Rios to put up the same numbers, or for the veterans to stay healthy, or for De Aza and Viciedo to repeat (or improve upon) last year’s numbers.

I’m fine with going out on a limb in my preseason predictions, but in the case of the 2013 White Sox, the branch is far too delicate to stand on. It is this writer’s opinion that the White Sox overachieved in 2012 and will drop down below .500 this year.

The worst-case scenario for the Sox is that injuries strike the rotation and the heart of the order and the season is lost by August. I think the team has enough fight to stick around a little longer than that, but still expect about 75 wins and a fourth-place finish in the Central. It doesn’t help that the Royals, Tigers and Indians all seem to have improved their teams.

Potential changes before Opening Day

According to Chicago Tribune writer Mark Gonzales (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com) on Twitter, rumors about the Sox trading away Viciedo were never true. But he added that nobody is “untouchable.” We had heard whispers of potentially moving Viciedo and/or De Aza, which didn’t come to fruition.

There is still time left, though, and the White Sox do possess some high-potential hitters who haven’t quite panned out or are are just starting to hit their strides. If they could move one or both of them to acquire a consistent outfield bat or a veteran starter to slot in the middle of the rotation, the team would look a little more promising.

Kyle Lohse and Michael Bourn are both out there still, and though they cost a first-round pick, they would add extensive punch to the roster. At the very least, the fact that GM Rich Hahn said the White Sox would add payroll if they are in contention in 2013 should be promising to the fans.

Biggest surprise: Alexei Ramirez

Biggest disappointment: Dayan Viciedo

Bold prediction: Sale wins 20 games, finishes top three in the Cy Young voting

Projected lineup

1. Alejandro De Aza, CF

2. Jeff Keppinger, 3B

3. Adam Dunn, DH

4. Paul Konerko, 1B

5. Alex Rios, RF

6. Dayan Vicideo, LF

7. Alexei Ramirez, SS

8. Gordon Beckham, 2B

9. Tyler Flowers, C

Projected rotation

1. Chris Sale, LHP

2. Jake Peavy, RHP

3. John Danks, LHP

4. Gavin Floyd, RHP

5. Jose Quintana, LHP

Projected finish: 74-88, 4th place

For other preseason evaluations:

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays

Toronto Blue Jays

NL East

Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

Washington Nationals

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East and now go to the NL side, starting in the East and going in alphabetical order. Next up, the Washington Nationals.

2012 finish: 98-64 (1st place, NL East; Best record in MLB, lost NLDS 3-2 to St. Louis Cardinals)

Notable additions

LHP Bill Bray, RHP A.J. Cole, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan Haren, OF Denard Span

Notable losses

LHP Sean Burnett, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, LHP Michael Gonzalez, LHP John Lannan, RHP Chien-Ming Wang, RHP Edwin Jackson, OF Mark DeRosa, OF Michael Morse, C Jesus Flores

Why they will improve this year

The 98-win Nationals improving is a scary thought. It’s also a very legitimate possibility. The Nats sacrificed a first-round draft pick to solidify the end of their bullpen with Soriano, took a high reward flier on Haren, upgraded the outfield with Span and snatched back a top prospect who they originally drafted.

And other than the powerful bat of Morse and above-average lefty arm in Burnett, the Nationals aren’t really crying over anyone that moved on this winter. Long story short, the Nationals improved upon the fourth-best offense (by average) and the third-best bullpen (by ERA) in the National League from 2012.

They brought back Adam LaRoche to play first base, ensuring some left-handed pop in the heart of the order. I’m a big believer in Haren having a bounce-back year on his return to the relatively pitcher-friendly NL. But even if he doesn’t pan out, Washington’s presumably getting a full season out of Stephen Strasburg.

With a filthy rotation, strong bullpen and improved offense, the Nats could make a real run at surpassing 100 wins in 2013, even with tough competition in their own division from Atlanta. Harper will get another year in the bigs, but the guys I’m looking forward to watching grow are the double play combo of Ian Desmond at shortstop and Danny Espinosa at second base.

It’s always difficult to improve on a season in which you get close to the century mark in wins, but if anyone is going to do it next year, it’s the Nationals. 

Why they will regress this year

Even though the Nats made vast improvements this offseason, it’s almost unreasonable to expect a 98-win juggernaut to get even better. And for everything the front office did right this winter, another thing has gone wrong. Let’s start with the pitching, which was their heart and soul in 2012.

By now, everyone has heard the news of another PED scandal brewing in South Florida. Included in the list of names is last year’s ace Gio Gonzalez. While nothing has been proven yet, and Gonzalez took to Twitter immediately after the report to deny any involvement, it’s hard to practice “innocent until proven guilty” these days.

When Gonzalez is included on a list with proven PED users like Alex Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon, even the most optimistic fan must realize that a suspension and fallout could be around the corner. I worship Gonzalez as a fan, but if he does get busted for this, it will really rock the foundation that the Nationals are built on.

On a less depressing note, the only other way I see the Nationals faltering in 2013 is if the injury bug bites hard, or young players like Harper fail to improve in their second full seasons (we saw the sophomore slump with Jason Heyward in 2011 and Eric Hosmer in 2012). Haren, Jayson Werth, and Ryan Zimmerman all have long injury histories, so keeping them healthy will have to be a priority. Otherwise, Washington may be in trouble.

The outlook for 2013

Even with the potential Gonzalez drama, I’m a big believer in the Nationals this year. If Gonzalez misses 50 games, I don’t expect the Nats to replace that kind of production in the rotation. But, they can at least plug the hole a bit by moving a guy like Cole to the bullpen and bumping a reliever to the rotation. A rotation of Strasburg, Jordan Zimermann, Haren, Ross Detwiler and a fifth is still pretty solid.

What I’m most excited about are the offseason additions the Nationals brought in to bolster the lineup and the bullpen. Re-signing LaRoche was a huge deal, considering he was the primary source of left-handed power in that lineup.

I think Span and Soriano will fit in perfectly and really take off in D.C., and I have no problem saying that Harper, Espinosa, Desmond and Detwiler will continue to improve. I like the depth the Nationals have, as well as the good balance of power, speed, defense and pitching.

This really is a team I think will eclipse the 100-win mark, even if Gonzalez does miss 10 starts. With him back, 105 is a possibility. You may call me too optimistic, but when taking into account the improvements made to an already terrifying team, it’s well within the realm of possibility.

It’s the opinion of this writer that the Nationals hit triple digits in the win column and fend off a feisty Braves team to repeat as NL East champions.

Potential changes before Opening Day

As previously mentioned, Gonzalez could face a suspension if he is charged with using PEDs. In that instance, the Nationals would probably at least pursue the option of adding another pitcher. It could be Javier Vasquez, who has apparently been blowing up the winter leagues.

But if GM Mike Rizzo wants to go with another southpaw, they are short on options. Other than promoting from within the organization, the Nats might have to use now-blocked first base prospect Chris Marrero as trade bait to land a back-of-the-rotation lefty starter.

Biggest surprise: Dan Haren

Biggest disappointment: Jayson Werth

Bold prediction: 20-year-old Harper hits 30 home runs in his second full season

Projected lineup

1. Denard Span, CF

2. Bryce Harper, LF

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

4. Adam LaRoche, 1B

5. Jayson Werth, RF

6. Ian Desmond, SS

7. Danny Espinosa, 2B

8. Kurt Suzuki, C

Projected rotation

1. Gio Gonzalez, LHP

2. Stephen Strasburg, RHP

3. Jordan Zimermann, RHP

4. Ross Detwiler, LHP

5. Dan Haren, RHP

Projected finish: 100-62, 1st place

For other preseason evaluations:

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays

Toronto Blue Jays

NL East

Atlanta Braves

Miami Marlins

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We started in the AL East and now go to the NL side, starting in the East and going in alphabetical order. Next up, the Miami Marlins.

2012 finish: 69-93 (5th place, NL East)

Notable additions

RHP Chad Qualls, RHP Henderson Alvarez, RHP Michael Wuertz, RHP Kevin Slowey, OF Juan Pierre, OF Austin Kearns, OF Pat White, 3B Placido Polanco, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, SS Yordy Cabrera, SS Adeiny Hechavarria

Notable losses

LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Josh Johnson, RHP Heath Bell, RHP Carlos Zambrano, RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo, RHP Chad Gaudin, OF Adam Greenberg, OF Scott Cousins, OF Emilio Bonifacio, 1B Carlos Lee, SS Jose Reyes, C John Buck

Why they will improve this year

Let’s start with the bright side: at least all those heavy expectations are off for 2013? In its place comes fury and confusion, mostly directed at the front office. But the Marlins’ brass has to ignore their mistakes before, during and after the 2012 season and focus on rebuilding this team from scratch.

Even though all the big-name players that the Fish landed before last year are gone, there is still plenty of talent in Miami to be excited about. For example, the Marlins acquired a ton of young talent in the trades with Toronto for Reyes, Johnson and Buehrle, as well as some good pieces from the Diamondbacks for Bell.

Miami also snagged a couple promising pitching prospects from the Dodgers when they traded Randy Choate and Hanley Ramirez to Los Angeles mid-season. And two above average hitting prospects in Gorkys Hernandez (from Pittsburgh) and Zack Cox (from St. Louis) in other in-season trades.

My point is, the Marlins may not be a team we can bear to watch in 2012, but at least they cut their losses and are headed in the right direction. It can’t get worse than last year for Miami, and they need to build around budding superstar Giancarlo Stanton in 2013. My advice? Wipe the slate clean, play for fun, get the young guys some playing time, and see if you can’t surprise a few people.

Why they will regress this year

On paper, the Marlins look like the 2012 Astros. I doubt they will regress that far, given that they still have a couple decent pitchers and a lineup built around Stanton. But outside of him, there are very few notable players left in Miami, and I think the results will show it.

Even when Johnson was battling back from injury, he was at least an intimidating presence on the mound because of his stuff, stature and successful history. Now, the Marlins have downgraded to having former middle-of-the-rotation starter Ricky Nolasco at the top.

And though the young talent they acquired in the trades last year and this winter (Jacob Turner and Nathan Eovaldi, for example) is exciting, they are still very raw pitchers with a long way to go. And even though Alvarez and Wade LeBlanc, my presumed second and third starters, have had their moments in the big leagues, I’m not expecting much more than an average year from each.

What can one expect out of a team that has decent pitching, an okay bullpen, and a punch-less offense? A regression, for sure — but even more likely, a long stretch of time before said team can contend again. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that losing your best overall player and two best pitchers is bad for business, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in Miami. It’s going to be a long season.

The outlook for 2013

The Marlins screwed up last year. We all know it. But I have to give them a pat on the back for still turning a decent profit out of the guys whose salaries they had to dump. I really do think Turner, Eovaldi, Hechavarria and Alvarez will become good players eventually.

Just not in 2013. And if we’re talking about 2013, it’s going to be ugly. Aside from Stanton, there is not going to be much reason to watch the Fish this season. The pitching staff will get beat up, the bullpen will be overworked, and the offense will struggle mightily.

So a best-case scenario for Miami this year is that they play like the Padres have for the last couple seasons: let the young guys play and develop, and try to build some camaraderie around the one superstar hitter (in San Diego, it’s Chase Headley).

With the right kind of instruction, and a little bit of luck in player development, the Marlins could at least be a fringe Wild Card team by 2015. Again, that’s the best-case scenario for this franchise right now. In a worst-case situation, they lose over 100 games. Easily.

For 2013, it’s the opinion of this writer that the Miami Marlins will almost certainly finished in last place in the division, but will settle around 65 wins. Given the roster that is in place, it’s not as bad as it sounds.

Potential changes before Opening Day

It’s hard to spin the rumor wheel in an organization clinging to a $40 million payroll, let alone for anyone of substance. And right now, it sounds like the Marlins are out on any potential free agents, no matter the significance. I think that’s the right move, as they should be focusing on developing the talent they already have.

One thing to watch is whether former West Virginia quarterback Pat White decides to leave football and test his skills on the diamond. He’s a remarkable athlete, and though it’s ambitious, he could be a diamond in the rough for the Marlins.

Biggest surprise: Juan Pierre

Biggest disappointment: Ricky Nolasco

Bold prediction: Wade LeBlanc ends up in the top 10 in ERA in the National League

Projected lineup:

1. Juan Pierre, LF

2. Placido Polanco, 3B

3. Giancarlo Stanton, RF

4. Logan Morrison, 1B

5. Justin Ruggiano, CF

6. Rob Brantly, C

7. Donovan Solano, 2B

8. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS

Projected rotation:

1. Ricky Nolasco, RHP

2. Henderson Alvarez, RHP

3. Wade LeBlanc, LHP

4. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

5. Jacob Turner, RHP

Projected finish: 64-98, 5th place

For other preseason evaluations:

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays

Toronto Blue Jays

NL East

Atlanta Braves

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

This series will evaluate one team per day, starting on January 23, 2013 and ending on February 22, 2013 (the first game of spring training). It is based on last season’s performance, offseason changes since and the author’s outlook for the team in 2013. Please keep in mind that rosters can, and will, change before Opening Day. We start in the AL East and go in ABC order; next up, the Tampa Bay Rays.

2012 finish: 90-72 (third place, AL East)

Notable additions:

RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo, RHP Jamey Wright, OF Wil Myers, OF Jason Bourgeois, 1B James Loney, SS Yunel Escobar

Notable losses:

LHP J.P. Howell, RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis, OF B.J. Upton, OF Ben Francisco, 1B Carlos Pena, 2B Jeff Keppinger, DH Luke Scott

Why they will improve this year

Don’t they always? This team just finds a way to win.

No matter the pieces they pull off the scrap heap, no matter the lack of offense, no matter the limited star power, the Rays are contending under Joe Maddon. And this is one of the cleverest offseasons in the franchise’s history, as far as I’m concerned.

They had to pull the trigger on the trade that sent Shields and Davis to Kansas City, because it netted them baseball’s best hitting prospect as well as a slew of other high-profile minor leaguers that could pay immediate dividends.

Even though the team will look slightly different in 2013, it’s arguably more dangerous than ever.

One of my favorite moves was snagging Escobar from the Miami Marlins to fill a void at shortstop. Awkward, homophobic slur problems aside, Escobar is a very high-potential player on both offense and defense, who is just one year removed from a season in which he hit .290 and had a solid on-base percentage.

The lineup is better than people will give it credit for, too.

With a healthy Evan Longoria, another year under Desmond Jennings’ belt, the versatility of Ben Zobrist and impressive depth at most positions, they could very well put up more runs than they did in 2012, even though Upton is gone. Oh, and don’t worry about the starting rotation after losing two righties in the K.C. trade. The staff still runs seven pitchers deep.

Why they will regress this year

On paper, asking this team to win 90 games like last year might be a stretch. Even though the depth in the starting rotation is incredibly lengthy, they do lose 31 wins, 15 complete games and six shutouts over the previous two seasons in Shields.

While I believe David Price will improve on his Cy Young season of 2012, I’m not sure if the youngsters in line behind him will step quite enough to fill the void left by Shields. And in the bullpen, I do expect a regression from closer Fernando Rodney.

Anything else would be shocking, statistically.

And I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to Longoria when discussing his perennial injury problems, but will Jennings continue to improve in left field? Can Sam Fuld and Matt Joyce continue to provide strong all-around play? Does Escobar have a clear head in his new digs? And will Loney really provide anything offensively?

I fully expect the Rays to be competitive this season, but I think we’ll see growing pains from a lot of the young pitchers, as well as Myers when he inevitably gets the call. And none of the super utility backup guys the Rays employ really fit the prototypical DH slot right now, which may leave a gaping hole in the lineup.

The outlook for 2013

 I think the Rays will find a balance between my previous two sections.

The pitching staff will be fantastic, with Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb and Matt Moore all taking strides forward. But, the bullpen will regress ever so slightly, almost bringing them back to even.

On offense, I think Myers, Jennings and Joyce more than make up for the loss of Upton, and that Escobar will have a nice bounce-back season in Tampa Bay. Consistency on the right side of the infield is my main worry offensively, along with standard injury concerns for Longoria.

If the face of the franchise is healthy at the hot corner for most of the season, the Rays are a legitimate Wild Card contender, even in the AL East. But if he misses significant time, the Rays could be looking at a ceiling of 81 wins.

When all is said and done, I think the Rays get some pretty productive seasons from the big bats. They will be in the hunt late into the season and narrowly miss a Wild Card spot, coming in at around 85 wins.

Potential changes before Opening Day

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com), the Rays will be re-signing Scott soon, filling the void at DH for another year.

That aforementioned hole in the lineup should be stuffed with this move, but I’ll wait until the deal is officially done to proclaim the spot filled.

The most interesting story line for the Rays leading up to Opening Day will be how the new prospects who came over from the Royals will fare in Spring Training. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to see Myers in action.

Biggest surprise: Yunel Escobar

Biggest disappointment: James Loney

Bold prediction: Price wins his second straight Cy Young

Projected lineup

1. Desmond Jennings, LF

2. Yunel Escobar, SS

3. Evan Longoria, 3B

4. Luke Scott, DH

5. Ben Zobrist, 2B

6. Matt Joyce, RF

7. James Loney, 1B

8. Jose Molina, C

9. Sam Fuld, CF

Projected rotation

1. David Price, LHP

2. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP

3. Matt Moore, LHP

4. Alex Cobb, RHP

5. Jeff Niemann, RHP

Projected finish: 86-76, third place

For other preseason evaluations:

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees

You can follow Jeremy on Twitter @Jamblinman.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to spend as much money as possible to put together a winning team; that much is clear. But with great payroll comes great responsibility to not go crazy with contracts. 

I can’t say the Dodgers have abided by that made-up rule quite yet, because they certainly have their fair share of well-overpaid players. You can point to about half of the starting lineup as being “overpaid,” but having an expensive contract doesn’t necessarily make one overpaid.

Instead, I focused on guys who do not earn the money they are paid. For example, I truly believe that Matt Kemp, despite his mammoth salary, earns his paycheck by being a legitimate five-tool player. On the other hand, B.J. Upton’s new $15 million-per-year contract with Atlanta doesn’t seem very justified based on his performance.

Similarly, you won’t see Hanley Ramirez or Adrian Gonzalez on this list. They may earn too much money, but they are multi-faceted, talented players who make one of the biggest impacts to any team in any league.

Read on for a list of the six most overpaid players on the current Dodgers roster—quick, before it balloons to double digits!

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The Dodgers stacked up a lot of expensive talent this past July and August. It made their team look ten-times better on paper, but they didn’t start playing well until a couple weeks remained, and they were just too far out in the Wild Card.

With players like Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez on board for at least a couple more years, there is some fat around the edges that will need to be trimmed this offseason. 

I’m actually a big fan of Shane Victorino, despite his lack of success in Dodger Blue. And though Brandon League can be a heart attack in the closer’s role, I think he needs to be kept on as well. So with those two out of the equation, who are the five players the Dodgers must replace this offseason, via trade, benching or demotion?

Read on.

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Well, we knew neither team would go down easily. Naturally, the San Francisco Giants managed to win Game 5 behind Barry Zito in St. Louis on Friday to force their way back home for a Game 6 in San Francisco. It’s do or die for the Giants, but they have the momentum.

Can Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals have a short memory and come out to finish the series tomorrow? Or will the Giants get one step closer to finishing off another playoff comeback?

The Giants send Ryan Vogelsong, who pitched brilliantly at AT&T Park in a Game 2 win in this series, to the hill. I have a feeling it will come down to the guys on the mound tomorrow, but that’s not the only matchup worth watching. 

Here are five matchups that may determine the winner of Game 6 of this NLCS:

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