The Bum's MLB 2016 Spring Training News-Exhibition Picks-Trades-Gossips Etc. !!

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Harbaugh set to coach Tigers, Chapman eligible
March 2, 2016

A look at the highlights of what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today:

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COACH `EM UP!

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh steps out of his khakis and into a new field when he briefly becomes Detroit's first base coach vs. Pittsburgh. He's also throwing out the first ball and might even coach for the other side - manager Clint Hurdle is from Michigan.

''If you're going to do both teams, I'd have to learn both signals. I would take that very seriously,'' Harbaugh said. ''Coaching a big league game.''

Harbaugh was already near the Pirates' camp in Bradenton, Florida. That's where the Wolverines are holding practice this week at the IMG Academy.

CHAPMAN'S STATUS

Aroldis Chapman can pitch when the Yankees start their spring schedule against a Tigers split squad. New York's new closer has agreed to accept a 30-game suspension under Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy, resulting from an incident with his girlfriend last October.

The hardest thrower in the majors is eligible throughout the exhibition season. His penalty starts on April 4 when the Yankees host Houston on opening day.

DUGOUT DEBUTS

Dusty Baker, Scott Servais and Andy Green manage their new teams for the first time. Baker guides Washington when it plays Tampa Bay; Servais and the Mariners take on Green and the Padres at the complex the teams share in Peoria, Arizona.

STRAIGHT FROM SEOUL

South Korean slugger Byung Ho Park is scheduled to play his first spring training game with the Twins against the Red Sox, likely as the designated hitter. Park hit 53 home runs in his final year with Seoul-based Nexen in the hitter-friendly Korean Baseball Organization, then signed a four-year, $12 million deal with Minnesota this offseason. The 29-year-old said he's acclimating well to life in America and has already developed a taste for the local cuisine, eating lots of steak and ribs. He's getting around OK, too. ''This is a lot easier than driving in Korea,'' he said. ''No problem.''

FRESH BATTERIES

Jeff Samardzija starts the spring opener for the Giants vs. the Angels, his first game since signing a $90 million, five-year deal as a free agent. Buster Posey will catch, giving him extra time to work with the San Francisco newcomer. Between 2014 and 2015, Samardzija's ERA jumped nearly two runs to 4.96, but San Francisco is gambling on a bounceback with hopes that he and fellow free agent acquisition Johnny Cueto can back ace Madison Bumgarner in the rotation.

[StarDust Bum]

Seager looking to build on solid debut with Dodgers
March 1, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Corey Seager looked right at home when he made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Now comes the hard part.

Seager is looking to build off his impressive finish with Los Angeles in 2015. He was promoted in September and batted .337 in 27 games while supplanting Jimmy Rollins at shortstop.

But the touted prospect won't be able to catch anyone off guard this year.

''You can expect him to improve and make adjustments that the league is going to make on him,'' first-year manager Dave Roberts said. ''Opponents have a one-month sample on him. It's a cat-and mouse game.''

The Dodgers think Seager is ready for the challenge. Roberts made Seager his starting shortstop weeks before Los Angeles' Cactus League opener Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has said the Charlotte, North Carolina native is ''a kid I could see being a Hall of Famer.''

Seager, who turns 22 on April 27, takes it all in stride.

''You just have to get out there and be on the field, be out there as much as you can and just go out, play and not think about it too much,'' Seager said.

Seager is the youngest son in a baseball family. His brother, Kyle, is a third baseman for the Seattle Mariners.

Corey Seager was drafted by Los Angeles with the 18th pick in 2012 draft and quickly became one of the majors' top prospects.

''Expectations are on him as far as his skillset,'' Roberts said. ''But I think as an organization we're just expecting Corey to be Corey. We're not expecting him to carry the load in any way. For me, it's more of him being consistent at short.''

The Dodgers had a similar situation with center fielder Joc Pederson a year ago. Pederson, a leading prospect at the start of 2015, got off to a fast start and looked to be a contender for National League Rookie of the Year, but struggled after the All-Star break.

''For Joc, this season is an adjustment in itself,'' Roberts said. ''It's an adjustment Corey is going to have to make as well.''

Roberts isn't sure where Seager will bat in the order. In Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the New York Mets, Seager batted third.

''The No. 3 position in the order is very important, no doubt,'' Roberts said. ''At that point last season, I can't speak to what they were thinking. Corey was swinging the bat well. At this point, we're evaluating every day.

''Every player is different. Some guys with incredible skill sets, you might want to take the load off and hit them lower. Certain guys can handle it higher in the order. As I get to know Corey, I'll make that decision.''

NOTES: Cuban right-hander Yasiel Sierra threw 30 pitches in his first bullpen session Tuesday. Sierra finalized a $30 million, six-year contract with Los Angeles on Feb. 21. ''I'm here to do whatever is needed, whether it is starting or pitching in relief,'' Sierra said through a translator before the bullpen. Sierra arrived in camp Monday. ... Former Dodgers pitching great Fernando Valenzuela visited camp.

[StarDust Bum]

FRIDAY, MARCH 4

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


NYY at DET 01:05 PM

NYY +109 BEST BET


MIN at PIT 01:05 PM

PIT -119


ATL at PHI 01:05 PM

PHI -118


TB at BOS 01:05 PM

TB -104


STL at HOU 01:05 PM

HOU -112 BEST BET


BAL at TOR 01:07 PM

TOR -120


LA at TEX 03:05 PM

TEX -114 BEST BET


LAA at CHC 03:05 PM

CHC -118 BEST BET


CLE at CHW 03:05 PM

CHW -118


SF at CIN 03:05 PM

SF -106 BEST BET


SEA at MIL 03:05 PM

MIL -106


KC at SD 09:10 PM

KC +100 BEST BET

[StarDust Bum]

Overall:
6-3-3 Last 10:
5-2-3 Last 20:
6-3-3 Overall

MONDAY, MARCH 7

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


PHI at PIT 01:05 PM

PHI +107


HOU at NYY 01:05 PM

HOU +105


TB at BOS 01:05 PM

BOS -120


MIN at BAL 01:05 PM

BAL -120


MIA at WAS 01:05 PM

WAS -115


ATL at TOR 01:07 PM

TOR -121


SD at MIL 03:05 PM

SD +101


SF at TEX 03:05 PM

TEX -108


CLE at LA 03:05 PM

CLE +102


ARI at SEA 03:10 PM

SEA -120

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Brewers' Liriano hit in face, hospitalized
March 20, 2016

A look at what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona on Monday:

HOSPITALIZED

The Brewers will learn more about outfielder Rymer Liriano, a day after he was hit in the face by a pitch. He was bleeding from the nose and his left eye appeared to be severely swollen when he was carried off the field on a backboard and taken to a hospital.

The 24-year-old Liriano made his big league debut with San Diego in 2014. He spent last season in the minors, then was traded to Milwaukee in January.

ROCKIN' IT

Nolan Arenado is swinging the sweetest bat this spring, leading all players with a .606 average for Colorado. The All-Star third baseman is 20 for 33, has hit in all 12 games he's played and has seven straight multihit performances going into a matchup vs. Texas.

''I wish it was April,'' he said. ''I'm good to go.''

Arenado topped the majors with 130 RBIs last season and tied Bryce Harper for the NL lead with 42 home runs.

HE'S AN ANGEL

Angels newcomer Daniel Nava has hit in all 13 of his games this spring, going 15 for 29 for a .517 batting average. He could extend the streak against a split squad of Brewers.

HAPPY, HAPPY

Indians ace Carlos Carrasco will celebrate his 29th birthday and make his fourth spring start when he faces the Chicago White Sox.

TUNING UP

Pirates lefty Francisco Liriano stays on track for his opening day start vs. St. Louis when makes his third outing of the spring, pitching against the Braves.

ON THE MEND

Reds right-hander Homer Bailey, recovering from elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw live batting practice. He's set to throw about 20 pitches in camp.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB 2016:

Net Units: +3255 Rank: 158

Overall: 13-6-3

Last 10: 7 - 3

Last 20: 12-5-3

MONDAY, MARCH 21

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


PHI at DET 01:05 PM

DET -137


HOU at WAS 01:05 PM

HOU +113


BOS at STL 01:05 PM

BOS +104


MIA at NYM 01:10 PM

NYM -132


OAK at SF 04:05 PM

OAK +117


CHW at CLE 04:05 PM

CLE -123


COL at TEX 04:05 PM

TEX -127


SEA at LA 04:05 PM

SEA +117


CIN at SD 10:10 PM

SD -121

[StarDust Bum]

Around the Horn - Spring Camps
March 23, 2016

Spring Training - Hot & Cold Pitchers

Opening day is right around the corner and while updating all your 2016 power ratings based on off-season transactions, health, lineups, bullpens and starting rotations, it's also a good idea to glance at a few things happening in spring training.

Some of the eye-opening numbers posted this spring include the Arizona Diamondbacks smoking the ball at a .316 clip, the Detroit Tigers belting 35 homers and the Washington Nationals stealing 27 bases in 30 attempts. The end result for each of those teams has been wins piling up -- Arizona leads spring with a 17-4 record.

You can't put too much weight into spring numbers but you also shouldn't ignore them, especially with the starting pitchers.

Let's take a look at Jeff Samardzija who has given up a spring high 18 earned runs and five homers in five starts (19 innings) warming up for his first season with the Giants.

Maybe he was trying some new pitches in differing situations and it simply didn't work out so well on couple of them. Still, he got roughed up in two straight outings and they were in his last two starts, so it wasn't like he progressed for the better with the bad outings coming early. Spring or not, veteran starters don't want to look bad. No one in baseball wants to look bad, especially in the first year of a $90 million contract.

“Spring training, man,” Samardzija told the San Francisco Chronicle following his performance Monday where he gave up six runs to the A's while serving up two homers.

“I feel good,” he said. “That was a great day out there. The ball was down. The splitter was great today. We’d been fishing for it for the first few starts. To get a handful of swings and misses on it, and get a punch-out on it, and I think we had a couple of easy groundballs on it, that’s huge for me.”

He sounds like he's not worried, but he can't like being rocked.

So when Samardjiza makes his Giants debut, likely in the Dodgers home opener Apr. 7, he'll be a play-against with much of the basis on having a poor spring. Even though Alex Wood has allowed spring hitters to hit .341 off him, the Dodgers will still be attractive in this situation.

Several pitchers have stood out for being very good while others have been shaky. In both cases, the spring performances should have some influence on April wagers.

Why not ride the starter that was hot in spring for his first two or three starts when his dollar value posted at the sports books might not have spring 2016 numbers factored in as much? And same goes for a veteran that might not be as good as his final 2015 dollar value.

Here's some starters that have been flagged with outstanding springs so far that deserve to be taken seriously with wagers in their first couple starts:

Juan Nicasio, Pirates: He's playing his way into the Bucs rotation with a stellar spring where he's struck out a spring-high 24 batters in 15 innings and hasn't allowed a run -- opponents hitting .189 against him. It's his best spring ever and a good enough reason to back Pittsburgh when his start does come around -- likely at Cincinnati.

Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks: Because the Arizona bats have been the story of spring, the performance of Corbin so far hasn't stood out as much as it should. The lefty has allowed one earned run over 14.1 innings in four starts due to great control (17 K, 3 BB) and using the change-up more -- opponents have hit only .212. He's come full circle since coming back from Tommy John surgery late last season and if his spring numbers are an indicator, he's not only a good starter to back with April wagers, but it also makes the team a better bet to go OVER 81.5 total wins and win the NL West at 9-to-2 odds.

Mike Pelfrey, Tigers: Opponents have hit a measly .151 against him in four starts and he hasn't allowed a run in his past two starts and only two earned runs in 15.1 innings. The big 6'7" right-hander is in his first season with the Tigers and will be a good value play as the No. 4 starter against the Yankees -- likely, Saturday, April 9.

Kyle Hendricks, Cubs: His .146 average-against is the best in spring and he's allowed just two runs in 14 innings. The Cubs high team rating is going to boost his prices high in April, so there won't be too much value with him early on, but his spring makes him able to be trusted with a wager going up against other No. 5 starters. His first start is likely to come at Arizona.

Other starters having great springs include Corey Kluber (CLE), Justin Verlander (DET), Jason Hammel (CHC), Clayton Kershaw (LAD), Zack Greinke (AZ), Kenta Maeda (LAD) and Andrew Cashner (SD).

Starters that have had a rough spring and could offer early April value with their opponents are Mike Gonzalez (BAL), Jake Peavy (SF), Bartolo Colon (NYM), Rick Porcello (BOS), Matt Shoemaker (LAA) and Wily Peralta (MIL).

Peralta is set to face Madison Bumgarner on opening day at Milwaukee. Surprisingly, Bumgarner has a 10.57 ERA and opponents have hit .371 off him in three starts.

[StarDust Bum]

NL East Preview
March 21, 2016


New York Mets - Predicted Record: 93-69

What a year it was for the Mets in 2015. From their unlikely run in outlasting the Nationals for the NL East title, to owning October on their way to the franchise's first World Series berth in 15 years, it was the definition of a special campaign. No one has quite had a beat as strong on the Mets as yours' truly, having now predicted New York's final exact record within three games or less in three straight years, including projecting them for last season's improbable playoff run. And there's still more progress on the way as it pertains to the Metropolitans.

First and foremost, the clear-cut main reason the Mets rapidly took off had to do with their remarkable starting pitching. Up and down the staff, this club is built for many years to come, and it's scary to think that this group actually may be even better collectively in '16. Of course, everyone already knew about Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey, two of the brightest young right-handers in the game today who should continue coasting along while in their prime. After an outstanding rookie season, everyone is now aware of Noah Syndergaard and the potential greatness he brings to the table. Steven Matz also flashed that same fantastic potential, albeit in a much shorter sample size due to injury, but the fact remains he's got an extremely promising future. Meanwhile, veteran Bartolo Colon resides at the bottom of the rotation, serving as a placeholder until ultra-underrated right-hander Zack Wheeler is ready to return from Tommy John in a few months. The bullpen is also in desirable shape, with Jeurys Familia established as the overpowering closer, and Addison Reed and newcomer Antonio Bastardo setting him up.

While it was the pitching rotation that paced the Mets to a wildly successful showing last season, it was the arrival of one slugger in particular that really carried the franchise towards solidifying that National League pennant. That, of course, would be in reference to the trade deadline deal for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who single-handedly rejuvenated a formerly lifeless offense that was previously scuffling mightily. Cespedes is the unquestioned star in this lineup, and there are some other good pieces here, too. Curtis Granderson, Travis d'Arnaud, Lucas Duda and longtime captain David Wright each play pivotal roles in helping manufacture runs, and the same should hold true in the new year. Furthermore, Michael Conforto flashed some promise last season as a rookie, while the Mets also added the serviceable Neil Walker to replace the departed Daniel Murphy. All in all, the Mets have everything needed to sustain their success and keep it going.

Washington Nationals - Predicted Record: 90-72

The Nationals entered 2015 with legitimate World Series aspirations, and were even tabbed with the highest win total in baseball by the linesmakers, but instead, the club fell well short of their expectations, even embarrassingly missing out on the postseason. It was a performance that led to the firing of Matt Williams, but with Dusty Baker now in charge, things are shaping up for the franchise to at least win their first postseason series in the post-Montreal era.

There may not be a more dangerous bat in the game today than Bryce Harper, who took another step forward in establishing his excellence with his first career NL MVP award last season. As long as he stays healthy, another monster campaign should be in his immediate future. The fate of the club just won't rest on his shoulders, as the Nats will need notable contributions from their other position players if they want to accomplish big things. For instance, Anthony Rendon must rebound from an injury-plagued campaign and record something more in line with his standout 2014 season. Jayson Werth also endured a forgettable year and it's important he gets back on track. Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos, meanwhile, are two veteran Nationals hitters still capable of making their mark. The team is also expecting an upgrade at second base, where they interestingly installed former rival Daniel Murphy through free agency.

Pitching should be this club's strong suit, boasting perhaps the most dominant 1-2 punch in the league, if not all of baseball. Max Scherzer had a terrific showing in his first year with the Nats, even starting the All-Star game for the National League. Stephen Strasburg, meanwhile, had some injury problems through the first half, but when he returned, the former No. 1 overall draft pick was normal again and absolutely unhittable. His continued progress will be a big factor in where Washington ends up this season. With Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark and young Joe Ross following him on the staff, it's a real quality group, and also be on the lookout for top prospect Lucas Giolito. If there's one concern in D.C., it would be concerning the bullpen, which could be an issue at times last year. Veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon is still here, but getting the ball to him isn't a sure thing, with names like Shawn Kelley, Felipe Rivero and Blake Treinen setting him up. Even so, the Nationals should contend once again and will most likely duke it out with the Mets in one of the sport's best growing rivalries.

Miami Marlins - Predicted Record: 85-77

Things got so messy in South Beach last season that the general manager was deployed to manage the team from the dugout, despite having zero prior experience in that area. Thus, the end result of a very disappointing season came as no surprise when factored in with notable injuries, but there is considerable hope that the Marlins can get back on track in '16 with new manager Don Mattingly leading the way.

When it comes to Miami, it all starts with arguably the game's best slugger in Giancarlo Stanton, who is looking to stay healthy after an injury-ravaged campaign a year ago. If he can accomplish that and churn out his usual monstrous home run output, the Marlins will be right in the hunt. They have some other pieces on offense that are worth raving over, too, such as blooming young outfielder Christian Yelich. Also, let's not forget Dee Gordon is coming off a completely unexpected batting title, and is part of one of the niftier middle infield combos in the league alongside Adeiny Hechavarria. Additionally, Justin Bour and JT Realmuto stood out as rookies, and if they can build on those freshman showings, the Marlins will be in really good shape, especially if talented outfielder Marcel Ozuna can return to old form.

The Fish don't just have a superstar on offense; they have one in their starting rotation, too. Jose Fernandez, now more than a year separated from Tommy John, is bracing for his first full year since the surgery, and if he can simply continue what he's been doing since arriving in the 2013 season, the Marlins will have a real dominant ace that can toe the rubber against anyone. Wei-Yin Chen was acquired to slide into the No. 2 slot, and could end up being one of the top offseason signings. With fine innings-eaters like Jarred Cosart and Tom Koehler behind him, there is a pitching staff in place that is actually pretty sound from top to bottom. That's key because their bullpen is also in good shape, as despite losing the electric Carter Capps for the year, they still have A.J. Ramos closing games, with the formidable trifecta of Bryan Morris, Mike Dunn and Kyle Barraclough serving as setup men. Don't be surprised if the Marlins make a push.

Philadelphia Phillies - Predicted Record: 73-89

It's tough these days to be a Philadelphia sports fan, especially as it concerns the city's baseball franchise, which has finished in the NL East basement in consecutive years now. Fortunately, the dreaded rebuild could be reaching its pinnacle sooner than anticipated, and while it probably won't happen in the upcoming campaign, there's still enough here to perhaps generate a decent season for Philly faithful.

If there's one man in the Phillies lineup that can single-handedly carry the club and help them avoid the NL East basement for a third straight season, it would be rising third baseman Maikel Franco, who impressed as a rookie and appears to be carrying over that momentum through a dazzling spring training. There's a significant gap, however, between Franco and the outlook of the rest of the offense, which is still saddled with the declining Ryan Howard in it. Carlos Ruiz is still here also, and he's shown some signs of fading as well. Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera and Freddy Galvis are some of the youngsters besides Franco that the Phillies are trying to invest in, but there's not a very high ceiling amongst the three of them. The team will also be without Aaron Altherr due to injury for the majority of the slate.

The pitching staff also does not yield a great amount of hope to contend this season, but there are certainly some intriguing young arms amongst this group. Aaron Nola, for one, has the potential to be an upper echelon starter for years to come, and Jerrad Eickhoff, who came over in the Cole Hamels deal, exhibited some real positive signs last year that indicate he's a part of the future, too. In addition, Philadelphia picked up Vincent Velasquez, another talented youngster who has potential to be a solid strikeout artist. With veterans Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton also amongst this group, though, the Phillies will have a tough time matching up against the brilliant rotations in this division. The same could be said of their bullpen, which no longer has Ken Giles or Jonathan Papelbon, and will instead be leaning on either David Hernandez or Andrew Bailey to finish off ballgames. All things considered, the Phillies might actually be a sleeper team in terms of going over their win total, but that's probably the kindest statement that can be made.

Atlanta Braves - Predicted Record: 66-96

Remember that time the Braves won 14 consecutive division titles? Yeah, it's now been 10 years since that historic run came to an end and in that time, Atlanta has amassed just one more NL East crown. Furthermore, they’ve managed to avoid last-place along the way, but entering this season, are looking at the prospect of their first finish in the division cellar since 1990.

Offensively, Atlanta is built around its talented veteran Freddie Freeman, though the star first baseman is still experiencing wrist issues that plagued him in 2015. That's definitely something to keep an eye on because beyond him, there isn't much additional pop. A.J. Pierzynski and Nick Markakis used to be two dependable veterans, but those days are gone, and now they are two miscast bats on a rebuilding roster. The Braves do have some fine youngsters, as Jace Peterson and Adonis Garcia displayed some noteworthy potential a year ago in their rookie campaigns. However, the lineup significantly pales in comparison to that of their division rivals. Hector Olivera and Ender Inciarte are also two unintimidating key components in the batting order.

It's not surprising that the Braves, who succeeded so well on marvelous starting pitching in their glory days, are now suffering from a severe lack of it. Julio Teheran, the staff ace, was tremendously disappointing last season, and will have to improve greatly if this club wants to stay afloat. Atlanta added Bud Norris over the offseason to be a big contributor, and while this author has always been a huge fan of Bud, the fact remains he's coming off an awful year that even led to his release from the Orioles in-season. He did thrive, though, when he was last a regular starter in the NL, so there is potential for him to be a silver lining. At the end of the day, Atlanta must get accelerated development from the likes of Matt Wisler, Manny Banuelos, Williams Perez and Michael Foltynewicz. The bullpen actually looks like it has enough talent to be a main strength for the club, with promising right-hander Arodys Vizcaino closing, and a talented trio of Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson and Alexi Ogando setting him up. However, that won't be enough, and the Braves are staring at a very challenging road ahead.

Evaluating NL East Division Bets

There's no question the Marlins offer the best value with their +800 odds to win the division. For gamblers who don't want to make that commitment, but still want to invest in their potential growth, then Over 79 Wins is probably up your alley. More likely than not, they will be unable to supplant both the Nationals and Mets, but they certainly have the potential to pass one of them when the season is all said and done, which would mean they'd easily register 80-plus wins. Even in third they could still go over the total. They're still the best value, though, because the Mets are an undesirable -125, entering the season with a completely different feel compared to last year, as they are now being hunted not just by their division rivals, but by the rest of the league as well. Meanwhile, Washington is +100, which is tempting, but it'd be nice if there was a slightly bigger payout considering the monumental disaster they went through in 2015. It's still a solid bet, though. Gamblers who like longshots shouldn't waste their time with Braves +6000 and Phillies +6600.

[StarDust Bum]

NL Central Preview
March 21, 2016

Chicago Cubs - Predicted Record: 94-68

Arguably the most glaring surprise from all of last season (and brilliantly predicted by this author, remember) was the rapid rise of the Cubs, who gelled together right away under new manager Joe Maddon, en route to reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2008. This time around, however, they will enter the new campaign with rocket-high expectations, but just may have enough blossoming talent to go even further than last year's trip to the NLCS.

There's no arguing that the young nucleus possessed by Chicago is as bright as it gets anywhere else. Kris Bryant made his much-anticipated debut last season, and proceeded to win the NL Rookie of the Year honors with ease. It's more likely than not that he evolves into one of the best third basemen in the sport. Anthony Rizzo is already one of the elite players at his position on the opposite corner of the diamond, and should continue churning out his usual production. Kyle Shwarber is another big name in this youth movement, someone capable of registering outstanding numbers over a full season. The Cubs didn't just stay content with that, also adding Jayson Heyward and Ben Zobrist, two veterans who should bolster the offense and defense. They also re-signed Dexter Fowler to remain in his role as the club's leadoff man.

With last year's NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta leading the pitching rotation, the Cubs have arguably the best ace in the league. Jon Lester would be an ace on several other teams, but fits in comfortably as the No. 2 hurler, providing Chicago with a lethal 1-2 punch. The team did make one alteration for this year's staff, prying away John Lackey from the division rival Cardinals, and the reliable veteran is capable of giving his new team an upgrade. Jason Hammel and young Kyle Hendricks round it out, and are fine starters to have on the back-end. The one area the Cubbies could use a little improvement is in the bullpen, but Hector Rondon is coming off a stellar first season as the team's closer. The pair of Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm appears to be solid enough in helping get him the ball for the ninth inning. Overall, it looks like it'll be another mightily successful season for the Cubs, and perhaps the final step in quenching the franchise's thirst for its first World Series title since 1908.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Predicted Record: 87-75

It seems like a distant memory now when the Pirates were the laughingstock of the National League, enduring an absolutely brutal stretch in which they missed the playoffs in 20 straight years. Then manager Clint Hurdle came to town and, no pun intended, turned the ship around for the Pirates. Now, Pittsburgh is firmly established as a perennial contender, with potential to do some big things in '16.

While it's mostly been a balanced effort over the past handful of seasons, the Pirates have easily stood out with their starting pitching staff. Gerrit Cole, for instance, debuted four years ago and has already risen to a very high level in which he is regarded as one of the best aces in the NL. Francisco Liriano has also performed like an upper echelon starter, having revitalized his career since arriving in the Steel City. The club will welcome new addition Jon Niese, who still has potential to be a productive mid-rotation arm in the bigs. They also added Ryan Vogelsong and Juan Nicasio, two guys capable of eating up innings on the back-end in case Jeff Locke falters. The bullpen has been just as stingy, as Mark Melancon has done a tremendous job at closer since taking over the job. Tony Watson, Neftali Feliz, Jared Hughes and Arquimedes Caminero comprise a desirable crew in setting him up.

When you look at Pittsburgh's outfield, it would be a fair argument to make that this could be the main reason why the Pirates advance into October baseball once again. Andrew McCutchen is a former NL MVP, and clearly, he's still very much in his prime as one of the league's best players. Playing alongside him are Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, two extremely athletic studs who both come with a high ceiling. Also having key role players like Francisco Cervelli, Josh Harrison and Jung Ho Kang, the Pirates still possess a formidable lineup to back up their quality pitching rotation. Boasting the same type of balance that has propelled them in the past few years, the Pirates should still be mixing it up with the league's elite all year long.

St. Louis Cardinals - Predicted Record: 83-79

With three straight division titles under their belt, the Cardinals have built a stronghold over the NL Central, but will 2016 be the year their empire finally falls? It very well could be given the rapid emergence of some of their regular counterparts, but at the very least, this looks like a team that won't be going down without a fight.

When it comes to pitching, St. Louis is always well-stocked both within their rotation and their bullpen, and the same sentiment will ring true in the upcoming campaign. Although they won’t have injured right-hander Lance Lynn for the entire year, they will receive an upgrade in the form of veteran ace Adam Wainwright, who missed almost all of last season before returning at the very end in a relief role. Considering Waino has always been as consistent as anyone, that's huge. Young studs Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez are also back, looking to carry over their gradual progress from recent years. Also, don't forget about Jaime Garcia, who looked like he finally overcame his frequent injury issues, en route to registering his most starts in four seaons. The bullpen maintains a similar type of stability, and will once again implement the services of Trevor Rosenthal at closer. Kevin Siegrist, Jordan Walden and Seth Maness are the other quality arms residing in the 'pen.

On offense, there's an interesting blend of established veterans and blossoming youngsters. Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday and Jhonny Peralta, of course, represent the elder statesmen in the lineup, having each excelled for a number of years now. It's no secret that their health hasn't been as dependable in the recent past, so whenever the changing of the guard takes place, St. Louis still has some very nice young talent to lean on. Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter have already experienced bouts of notable success, and will look to keep it going. Intriguing newer players like Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty, meanwhile, bring standout potential. At the end of the day, it simply boils down to whether or not this is all enough to stave off the Pirates and Cubs, and for the first time in awhile, it looks like the Cardinals won't be the team on top after game No. 162.

Milwaukee Brewers - Predicted Record: 74-88

Remember those Brewers teams from the early-2000s? Geoff Jenkins, Richie Sexson, Jeremy Burnitz, Ben Sheets, Glendon Rusch. They could mash, but would consistently land near the bottom of the NL Central, and based on last year's showing, in which the franchise produced their worst record in more than 10 years, well, those times could unfortunately be returning.

Milwaukee has a lot of "ifs" as it concerns their offense. If their longtime face of the franchise Ryan Braun can return to dominant form, this is a club that maybe has a chance to compete. Once a perennial All-Star, Braun's output has decreased in recent years. Can newcomer Chris Carter be a viable power source in the heart of the order? Maybe the slugger can finally cut down on his strikeouts, but he does bring intriguing power potential. Can veteran Aaron Hill turn back the clock? Is Domingo Santana ready to establish himself as an everyday slugger in the outfield? Is this the year Scooter Gennett evolves into an upper echelon second baseman? The Brew Crew needs a lot of things to go right for their offense to be consistently reliable.

The pitching staff, meanwhile, has questions of its own. Does Matt Garza still have what it takes to contribute as a mid-rotation starter? Can Wily Peralta somehow duplicate his 2014 showing? At the very least, they do have a couple of young arms with bright outlooks, particularly Taylor Jungmann and Jimmy Nelson. Jungmann, a former first-round draft pick, was sensational as a rookie last year, while Nelson has exhibited the potential that he can be one of the leaders of this group. Also, newcomer Chase Anderson might be an okay fit as a bottom-end starter. Milwaukee hasn't tabbed its closer yet but they do have some potentially fine arms to help finish off games, sporting the likes of Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith, Cory Knebel and Michael Blazek. On paper, it looks like a transition year is on tap for the Brewers, but based on potential, this team may have the ability to surprise a bit. In other words, they're at least a sleeper team to go over their low win total.

Cincinnati Reds - Predicted Record: 64-98

An argument could be made that the Reds were the most difficult team to handicap last year. Why? Well, hmm, they only started a rookie pitcher in their last 64 games to close out the season, which is a major league record by a mile, shattering the previous mark. In fact, they captured the record before the middle of September. This is what life for the Reds was like after trading away Johnny Cueto.

It was quite a cast of characters, ranging from Anthony DeSclafani, to John Lamb, to Jon Moscot, to Raisel Iglesias. Comically, it looks like Cincinnati is set on sticking to those same options for the rotation from within. DeSclafani and Iglesias actually showed potential they can provide stable work, but the rest of the staff is a mess, especially if Keyvius Sampson and Michael Lorenzen are still starting here. If the Reds have any chance of staying afloat, they'll need Homer Bailey to come back healthy and strong after missing all but two starts a year ago. They'll also require that either J.J. Hoover or Jumbo Diaz steps up as a viable closer with Aroldis Chapman no longer in town.

At least Cincinnati's offense appears to be in better shape. There is still former NL MVP Joey Votto pacing the offense, getting assistance from other quality bats like Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce. Zack Cozart and Devin Mesoraco have also experienced success, though they were limited by injuries in 2015. Todd Frazier is gone but the club still does have electric leadoff man Billy Hamilton, who still may have untapped potential. It all may not matter, though. More likely than not, the Reds pitching staff will finish near the bottom in team ERA, and even when they do have a lead, there's notable uncertainty with their bullpen. Coinciding with the further rise of their division rivals, it looks like another tough year is in store for the Reds.

Evaluating NL Central Division Bets

The Cubs are obviously a trendy favorite to pick up where they left off in 2015, but with -200 odds to win the NL Central, most people will probably be scared away, and rightfully so. Remember, this was the best division in baseball last year, featuring three legitimate elite teams. In fact, the three best records in all of baseball last season were right here in this division, so why are the linesmakers being so unfair in overinflating Chicago's division odds? It's probably to protect themselves from countless people loading up on the Cubs. In any event, the Cardinals and Pirates carry solid value as a result, at +300 and +350, respectively, leaving open the possibility for gamblers to bet both sides and churn out a guaranteed profit in the end if the Cubs don't beat out the other two perennial behemoths. At the other end of the spectrum, the Brewers at +5000 and the Reds at +6600 might as well be burning money. Since I don't want to go against my own personal prediction that the Cubs will capture the NL Central title, I'm definitely not making a futures bet on the division, but it is an interesting thought that you can make a decent profit by betting both the Pirates and Cardinals, as long as Chicago doesn't prevail in the end. Just something to keep in mind.

[StarDust Bum]

NL West Preview
March 21, 2016


Arizona Diamondbacks - Predicted Record: 90-72 (Best Bet: Over 82 Wins)

By making a number of noteworthy moves over the offseason, the Diamondbacks have launched themselves into the conversation pertaining to this year's potential breakout teams. The most impactful of those transactions were geared towards the pitching staff, which had been mediocre at best in recent years, but could be the difference in a possible monumental 2016 campaign.

Of course, the Diamondbacks instantly made a huge splash when they were able to sign former division rival Zack Greinke, giving the club a much-needed true ace. Arizona also acquired Shelby Miller from the Braves through a bit of a head-scratching deal in which they surrendered two very promising young players, but it shows the organization is confident in being able to win right now, as Miller adds a solid presence in the upper half of the rotation. Patrick Corbin is in there, too, ready for his first full big league season since Tommy John surgery after showcasing promising work in his return a year ago. The bullpen doesn't quite have the same ceiling to match that of its starters, but it could be a formidable group with veteran Brad Zeigler closing games, and Daniel Hudson teaming with newcomer Tyler Clippard to share set-up duties.

Offense has long been the main strength in Arizona, and it should be explosive once again in the new season. It all starts with perennial MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt, of course, coming off yet another fabulous year. The x-factor, however, just might be the emerging A.J. Pollock, who enjoyed a sensational breakout campaign in '15, en route to his first career All-Star berth. With Yasmany Tomas and David Peralta also in the outfield, this is definitely an effective group despite flying under the radar collectively. The team also added Jean Segura, who certainly should be an upgrade at shortstop with the bat. Behind the plate, Wellington Castillo can be one of the league's better offensive backstops. Taking everything into account, the D-backs have the makeup of a team on the rise, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them continuing on into October.

San Francisco Giants - Predicted Record: 88-74

It's an 'even' year, and in today's day and age, that tends to result in an eventful season for the Giants. In fact, they've won the World Series in each of the past three 'even' years dating back to 2010, and with a fortified pitching staff for the new campaign, San Francisco may have the goods to make it four in a row.

At the top of the rotation, there is ol' reliable Madison Bumgarner, who matches up well with any other ace in the game. Behind him are a couple of key acquisitions that could ultimately make or break the club's season, starting with the arrival of Johnny Cueto to fill the No. 2 slot. Considering his previous dominance in the National League while with the Reds, the presence of Johnny Beisbol gives the Giants an elite 1-2 punch. Jeff Samardzija was also signed over the winter, and despite a disappointing season as a member of the White Sox, he definitely has notable potential to rebound in his return to the NL. Don't forget about Chris Heston, too, as he'll be returning after a surprisingly effective rookie showing. As long as their starting pitching can meet expectations, the always trusty bullpen should take care of the rest, with Santiago Casilla closing games and the likes of Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez setting him up.

Within their lineup, the Giants feature some players to get excited about as well, starting with arguably the best catcher in all of baseball, Buster Posey, who had another standout year in '15. Overall, the entire infield actually could be exceptional, as Brandon Belt has developed into a solid middle-of-the-order bat, while Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford are in the process of joining the upper echelon of their respective positions. Matt Duffy, entering his sophomore season, was very impressive as a rookie at third base. The outfield already has the dynamic Hunter Pence, and should ideally receive a boost with the addition of leadoff specialist Denard Span. It won't be easy, given how competitive the NL West might be, but San Francisco appears to have a roster that can get them back to the postseason. Oh, and don't forget that 'even' year magic.

Los Angeles Dodgers - Predicted Record: 83-79

A new era of Dodger baseball is on the horizon, not just because this will be the final year for legendary play-by-play announcer Vin Scully, but also because the club has a new skipper at the helm. Despite capturing their third straight NL West crown in 2015, Los Angeles dismissed Don Mattingly, leading to the arrival of manager Dave Roberts, who will seek to guide the Dodgers to postseason success after disappointing shortcomings in recent years.

Although Zack Greinke is no longer in town, there is still a potentially lethal pitching rotation in place that can help preserve LA's presence at the top of the standings. For one, they boast arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball today, Clayton Kershaw, who is coming off yet another marvelous campaign. Hyun-Jin Ryu missed all of last year thanks to shoulder problems, but will be back this season, hoping to help fill the void left by Greinke. The biggest wild card on this staff, though, just might be new import Kenta Maeda, who comes to the team following a very successful career in Japan. The Dodgers didn't stop there, also adding proven innings-eater Scott Kazmir. Meanwhile, the bullpen should be a considerable strength as always behind the dominant Kenley Jansen, one of the top closers in the league.

While the pitching figures to be consistent, Los Angeles could end up experiencing a wide variety of results as it concerns their lineup. Adrian Gonzalez is as reliable as they get at first base, but after him, who can be counted on? The polarizing Yasiel Puig has enjoyed notable success already in his big league career, but was a major disappointment last season. Joc Pederson and Corey Seager are two youngsters that will be depended on for integral roles in 2016, though each could experience more growing pains like a year ago. Justin Turner was a bright surprise at the hot corner, but many would say he peaked, plus he's coming off knee surgery. The club would also like a bounce-back effort from Yasmani Grandal, who was abysmal in the second half following an unlikely berth on the All-Star team. While the Dodgers certainly have a fine chance of repeating their division success, they'll be facing significant pressure from the Diamondbacks and Giants, and it could be their undoing.

Colorado Rockies - Predicted Record: 77-85

Since reaching the franchise's first World Series in 2007, the Rockies have descended back into obscurity, and enter the new campaign having finished in the NL West cellar in three of the past four seasons. It's all connected to the same reasoning: Colorado is annually all offense and no pitching, so is this the year they finally get consistent quality work from their starting rotation?

First off, that regularly potent lineup should still be productive with all those talented hitters they have assembled. Carlos Gonzalez, when healthy, is one of the best all-around outfielders in the game, and is capable of an MVP-caliber season -- but that could be a big "if" regarding his health. Nolan Arenado, meanwhile, has arguably developed into the most important piece of the team, as he's been outstanding both at the plate and in the field over at the hot corner. Colorado got nice breakout seasons a year ago from Charlie Blackmon and D.J. LeMahieu, and if both can provide a similar output, that would help to ensure the offense remains in top shape. The only question comes at shortstop, which has a void right now with Jose Reyes facing a lengthy suspension. The club also added Gerardo Parra, who could be a sleeper.

Looking at Colorado's rotation on paper, it may not look pretty, but there are some guys here with potential to break out. Jorge De La Rosa is the most proven of the bunch, having contributed solid work over the past few seasons. Chad Bettis is coming off a fine debut campaign with the club, and the Rox will be leaning on him to build off of that. There is also the intriguing Tyler Chatwood, set to return from Tommy John surgery and could end up being a valuable arm. The starter with the highest ceiling, however, looks to be former No. 3 overall draft pick Jon Gray, who will be entering his second big league season. And what about Jordan Lyles and David Hale? The bullpen received an upgrade, now having Jake McGee close out ballgames, but in a tough division, it's hard to envision this group placing higher than third at best.

San Diego Padres - Predicted Record: 73-89

Expected to be one of the emerging contenders a year ago after an eventful offseason, the Padres instead fell completely flat, clocking in as one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball in 2015. Instead of competing for the division crown, San Diego dug itself a hole they could never quite escape. So, how does this long-struggling franchise get back on track?

Well, the big free-agent signing of James Shields to lead the rotation ended up being a colossal bust, as the durable 10-year veteran ended up tied for the most home runs allowed in all of baseball - and that's while pitching within the friendly confines of Petco Park! Andrew Cashner was a huge disappointment as well, and he'll have to trend back in the other direction if this club has any chance at competing this season. Tyson Ross, at least, contributed his usual underrated work, and can be counted on for stability. Their pitching staff will have potential if Brandon Morrow and/or former reliever Brandon Maurer pan out successfully. Meanwhile, the bullpen can be pretty good, with free agent Fernando Rodney replacing the departed Craig Kimbrel to take over closing duties. Kevin Quackenbush stands out as a set-up man still on the rise.

The main reason the Padres were supposed to ascend last year was because of a much-improved offense, but that projection never really took shape. Justin Upton was the big acquisition going into last season, but he's no longer in San Diego. Wil Myers was an important added piece, too, and he ended up getting hurt early on and missing more than 100 games. If he can return to form, that'd be huge. Matt Hemp is still in town, looking to build off his terrific second half, and San Diego hopes it can a nice season out of the intriguing Cory Spangenberg, but other than that, this offense really doesn't have much depth compared to its division rivals. New manager Andy Green could be in for some growing pains in his first year at the helm.

Evaluating NL West Division Bets

With +400 odds to take the division title, the Diamondbacks look like the best value bet of the five NL West division residents. They made a lot of slick moves over the offseason that will work towards improving their chances for 2016, and the final product should be a very competitive team that at least hovers around the top of the division for the duration of the campaign. It's also why they're my best win total bet this year at Over 82 Wins. If you like betting on teams to continue their dominance over a division, the Dodgers at +110 probably sticks out, but it should once again be noted that I feel their reign will be coming to an end this year. The Giants are the favorite here at -110, partly because of the "even" year aura, but don't let that coincidental trend be your main deciding factor. Are they a good team that improved over the offseason? Yes, which is why they’re one of the main contenders, but -110 juice to win a tough division is not exactly desirable. The Rockies at +4000 is interesting because their offense can still go toe-to-toe with the best, so if you think their starting pitching can finally make the leap, a small bet wouldn't hurt at all. The Padres contain +2000 odds, which show how far they've fallen from last year's preseason projections.

[StarDust Bum]

AL East Preview

Boston Red Sox - Predicted Record: 92-70

He may not be Kobe Bryant but David Ortiz is getting set to ride off into the sunset, having announced that this will be the final season of his terrific major league career. And it's probably a good thing that he's not the Black Mamba, as while Kobe's Lakers are putting the finishing touches on yet another embarrassing year, Big Papi's Red Sox seemed poised to do some big things in 2016.

Coming off two surprising last-place finishes, Ortiz and the offense appear to be in good shape in being able to help turn things back around. The mammoth designated hitter is just one of several key cogs in this lineup, as there is a host of others capable of providing heavy lumber. Let's start with Mookie Betts, who is a popular candidate to break out and become a star in the coming year. He has the potential to be a terrific all-around player, and quite frankly, he is this team's future as far as offense goes. Xander Bogaerts is also a key piece of Boston's young emerging core, looking to follow up on a really successful '15 campaign. Dustin Pedroia, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have always played an important role in manufacturing runs, and despite all three coming off injury-hampered seasons, there is hope they can each bounce back and produce something closer to their expected norm. Another name to look out for is young catcher Blake Swihart, who is a nice sleeper candidate to establish himself. Don't overlook Jackie Bradley, either.

In effort of trying to immediately vault the Red Sox back into contention, the club snagged arguably the most important player available this past offseason, that obviously being ace David Price. Starting pitching was Boston's biggest weakness last year, so this signing should do wonders for the club's outlook. He also has a lot of familiarity pitching in the AL East. Clay Buchholz is right behind him entrenched as a fine No. 2 starter, while fellow veteran Rick Porcello is also decent for the position he's secured within the middle of the staff. Youngster Eduardo Rodriguez and Joe Kelly are featured on the back-end, and even if one falters, the Red Sox also have underrated swingman Roenis Elias waiting in the wings. Not only did they improve their rotation through offseason acquisitions, they did the same with their bullpen when they acquired star closer Craig Kimbrel from the Padres. With former standout closer Koji Uehara and Carson Smith installed as the main setup men, Boston's relief corps will be solid at the very least. The end result to all of this should be a return to prominence for the Sawx.

Toronto Blue Jays - Predicted Record: 87-75

When you end baseball's longest playoff drought and make the playoffs for the first time in over 20 years, well, that tends to make everyone a little more free and relaxed. In the process, that could make things more difficult for the rest of the American League, as the Blue Jays could be starting something very special in the coming years.

Much of that, of course, is related to their explosive offense, which led the league in runs scored a year ago. With mostly the same names back in the lineup, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Toronto pull off that same feat in 2016. After all, you have the reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson still hanging around, and that's just scratching the surface. What about perennial home run threats Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion? While the Jays failed to advance past the ALCS last season, it was Bautista who arguably provided the season's most memorable moment with his iconic bat flip in the deciding win over the Rangers in the prior round. That's the kind of spunk this offense brings. It's also scary to think that they also have Troy Tulowitzki within their supporting cast when he would be the main bat in several other lineups. Russell Martin and Michael Saunders are also capable with the wood, too, and don't forget about intriguing young second baseman Devon Travis, as he'll be back from injury in May.

If there's one thing that can hold the Blue Jays back, it's their starting pitching, which could take a step back in 2016 with David Price and Mark Buehrle no longer on the staff. They will, however, get a full season out of potential star Marcus Stroman barring injury, as he's someone that has real potential to be an ace in the coming years. Marco Estrada is also a crucial name in this pitching rotation, coming off a phenomenal first year with the club. While former NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey appears to be declining, Toronto did bolster their pitching by signing underrated southpaw J.A. Happ to bring some more stability. Aaron Sanchez also may have a hand in how this rotation fares. The relief corps looks to be in a bit better shape, as either the impressive Roberto Osuna or newcomer Drew Storen will be the closer, and former All-Star Brett Cecil is still here in a setup role. No matter what, though, as long as the Jays continue to mash, they'll be a factor, as expected.

New York Yankees - Predicted Record: 81-81

In 2015, the Yankees were finally free of historic farewells, after Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter tearfully said their goodbyes in the previous two campaigns, and the result was a trip back to the postseason, albeit one that ended right away in the AL Wild Card Game. Although they didn't make many notable changes to the roster, there is still hope the Bronx Bombers can craft together one of their trademark storied playoff runs.

Most people don't realize it but New York scored the second-most runs in all of baseball last year, and with much of the same lineup in place, they should at least hover around that same mark in 2016. That will especially ring true if veteran Mark Teixeira can pick up where he left off from his renaissance season of a year ago, and the same sentiment could be made for Alex Rodriguez in the second-to-last campaign of his polarizing career. The Yankees also still have one of the most injury-prone outfields, comprised of Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brett Gardner, but if they can stay healthy for the most part, those three guys can still be productive. Meanwhile, Brian McCann is still a regular contributor from behind the plate, while the club should benefit from the upgrade they made at second base after trading for Starlin Castro.

As impactful as the offense may be, the starting rotation could have just as high a ceiling. Masahiro Tanaka, despite battling injury, showed flashes of his dominance from his rookie season the year prior, and as long as he can stay healthy, that'd be crucial. Michael Pineda endured a bit of a drop-off last season as well, but is still someone that can be leaned upon every fifth day for reliable pitching. There's also Nathan Eovaldi, coming off a nice debut campaign with the Yanks. Interestingly, it could be sophomore Luis Severino who provides the most noteworthy statline at the end of the day, after exhibiting outstanding potential as a rookie. For New York to make a serious push, though, odds are they'll need a productive showing from either C.C. Sabathia or Ivan Nova, which is definitely possible. The area to really get excited about if you're a Yankees fan is their remarkable bullpen, which will now have Aroldis Chapman closing games when he returns from suspension. Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances are also still here, and when the three are working together, it will unquestionably be the most lethal back-end of the bullpen in the majors. However, it will be a real challenge overcoming a division that will be much improved collectively.

Tampa Bay Rays - Predicted Record: 77-85

Despite finishing under .500 in 2015, the Rays still overachieved in getting to 80-82 while staying in the Wild Card hunt for the majority of the campaign, an encouraging accomplishment for a young team in its first year in the post-David Price era. With a solid pitching staff and a scrappy lineup, it now wouldn't catch anyone off guard if Tampa Bay were to end up in the postseason.

As it was alluded to, this is a pitching rotation that rolls pretty deep. Of course, it all starts with Chris Archer, the lively right-hander who has gradually developed into a legitimate ace over the past couple of years. Simply another performance in line with his usual work would be gladly accepted. After him, it's a relatively underrated group that could potentially impress significantly. Drew Smyly, for instance, is someone who flies under the radar, but has a high enough ceiling where he could actually be an All-Star as early as this year. Jake Odorizzi falls in that same category, having posted some pretty impressive numbers during his tenure with the Rays. Also, don't forget about Matt Moore, the former top prospect who was enjoying some success in the bigs until injuries limited him the past two seasons. The bullpen won't be as strong while Brad Boxberger is sidelined, but guys like Xavier Cedeno, Alex Colome and former Mariner closer Danny Farquhar are capable of finishing off ballgames.

Just like in their starting rotation, Tampa Bay only really has one big name concerning their offense, that being Evan Longoria. He's generally always provided steady production at the hot corner, but the Rays are going to need more than that if they plan on making an impact this season. They did acquire Corey Dickerson from the Rockies, and while he put up some pretty standout numbers during his time in Colorado, it may be a taller task trying to do that in another city. Steve Souza, Kevin Kiermaier and Logan Forsythe have shown something in the beginning of their respective careers and the club will need them to build on that in order to make a run. Unfortunately for the former Devil Rays, the AL East should be improved from last year, which will make it harder to stay afloat.

Baltimore Orioles - Predicted Record: 74-88

Right off the bat (pun intended), there's one thing that looks like it will be a certainty pertaining to the Orioles' 2016 season: offense. Lots of it. Playing their home games in a hitter-friendly park, with so many proven mashers, there should be a lot of high-scoring affairs at Camden Yards this year, but that will also be related to a lackluster pitching staff, which should ultimately be the club's undoing.

First, let's look at the good. The Orioles already had a potent lineup in place when the '15 campaign reached its conclusion, boasting such talented bats like Adam Jones and Manny Machado, both of whom are also stellar with the glove as well. They re-signed slugger Chris Davis, who has the ability to match any hitter in home runs over a full campaign. The offense got even more explosive when Baltimore was able to acquire Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez, two guys who bring even more considerable power to this batting order. They also added Hyun-soo Kim, an established big bat in Korea. With Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy also still aboard, the Orioles can truly outslug anyone, one through nine, which should at least ensure a fun season for the faithful of the franchise.

But then there's that starting rotation that could easily finish very close to the bottom in team ERA, especially after losing Wei-Yin Chen. As it stands, Chris Tillman is at the top of the heap despite coming off his worst season in years. The mercurial Ubaldo Jimenez is still here, too, complete with his frustrating inconsistency. Miguel Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman are two solid starters, the latter of which always having a high ceiling, but he's yet to come close to fulfilling that. Baltimore also signed Yovani Gallardo, a fine move by the team for stability, but it just won't be enough to propel the Orioles. They're stuck with that mantra that they could be the Colorado Rockies of the American League, and while it's fun to watch those type of games, it doesn't add up to success in the standings. Thus, there could be a disappointing showing for the O's in their immediate future.

Evaluating AL East Division Bets

The linesmakers just love to sometimes toy around with the emotions of fans in the bigger markets that would love to profit off their team in the coming year. Case in point, the Red Sox have endured consecutive finishes in the AL East basement, and still have some weaknesses, yet are +175 favorites to win the division. In other words, if a gambler were to make the bold call and take the Red Sox to win this tough division, the reward isn't as fruitful as it should be. In any event, they're a team that will certainly rebound. Toronto is also becoming a favorite amongst gamblers, and at +200, they'll draw a decent amount of action. Remember, though, that while they easily outscored the rest of the league last year, their pitching might be worse in 2016, which would easily doom them in this day and age. The Yankees look like a solid value bet at +330 for their potential this year, so bettors should certainly take that under review as well. On the other end of the spectrum, the Orioles and Rays register +700 and +900 odds, respectively, which may look tempting, but simply put, they're just not as complete as the other three division residents. Baltimore's starting pitching should be the worst of the group, if not the entire AL, and will be their downfall, while Tampa Bay's offense ranks far, far below its rivals. Yes, both clubs have the potential to surprise, but to exceed all three of the Sawx, Jays and Yanks? The odds don't even justify making that bet.

[StarDust Bum]

AL Central Preview

Cleveland Indians - Predicted Record: 91-71

Despite being embattled in a discouraging trend that has seen the team regress in all three years under manager Terry Francona, the fact remains that the Indians are actually entering the new campaign with three consecutive winning seasons. While they haven't advanced past the AL Wild Card Game within that span, there is hope that a deep young pitching staff that just oozes potential can get them back into the playoffs.

One through five, it's a group that really has promise. Of course, it all begins with former AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, who is coming off a down season by his standards, but most would agree that he was actually better than his final numbers. Carlos Carrasco is getting a lot of hype in fantasy baseball circles, and perhaps rightfully so, as he's shown some high-ceiling potential throughout his still-young career. So has Danny Salazar, a notable strikeout artist that, if he can just cut down the walks, has the ability to be an All-Star pitcher. There's Trevor Bauer, who is very good to have in the No. 4 slot, while Josh Tomlin is a fine innings-eater at the bottom of it. Stacked rotations can pace the way for teams like this one, and if this staff stays healthy collectively, they have a real shot of propelling the Indians on a run. They can get some quality relief work as well, with Cody Allen installed as the closer and the underrated Bryan Shaw as his main setup man.

Offensively, Cleveland doesn't have as much to brag about, but they could still have enough, led by a solid nucleus of talent. Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana, and the returning Michael Brantley -- as long as he's able to overcome offseason shoulder surgery -- is a nice trio of hitters to lean on, and are definitely capable of sustaining their success another year. The x-factor, though, in this lineup just might be sophomore shortstop Francisco Lindor, who has potential to be really special. His growth and performance could play the most pivotal role in where this team ends up at season's end. Yan Gomes also has a chance to finally break out if he can stay healthy, while veterans Mike Napoli and Juan Uribe are fine to have as role players. With such talented starting pitching leading the way, as long as the offense can perform decently, the Indians will emerge as one of the league's surprise teams in '16.

Kansas City Royals - Predicted Record: 84-78

One year after narrowly losing the World Series in seven games, the Royals were able to get back to the Fall Classic in 2015 and secure their first championship in 30 years, doing so in decisive fashion opposite the Mets while further solidifying their standing as one of baseball's perennial powers. Heading into the new season, does this look like a team that can pull off a repeat?

Well, one thing to their advantage is that they've largely been able to keep the same group together, which is always a plus when you're coming off a championship run. That is especially true as it concerns their fine offense, which has boasted the same core for awhile now. Of course, some of the most recognizable names are World Series MVP Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas, all of whom rank in the top-half of the league at their respective positions. ALCS MVP Lorenzo Cain, who emerged in a big way last season, is still here, too, as is slugging designated hitter Kendrys Morales. Up and down the lineup, it's a very balanced group, and one, as often on display throughout '15, that can be absolutely relentless. With that same approach, the Royals offense should continue to keep them in ballgames.

But ah, here's where Kansas City could fall apart; their starting pitching is definitely suspect. Johnny Cueto is no longer in town, and in his place is Ian Kennedy, whom the club inked over the offseason. That's a pretty noticeable downgrade. Yordano "Ace" Ventura regressed a bit last year from his impressive rookie campaign, and really, the only stable pitcher in this rotation now appears to be Edinson Volquez, something that isn't exactly desirable when you're trying to pull off back-to-back titles. Expecting Chris Young to repeat his renaissance season of a year ago will also be a tough sell. Luckily for the Royals, they still do sport one of the strongest bullpens anywhere, as despite not having Greg Holland for the year, they now have the unhittable Wade Davis locked in as the closer, while Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria and Luke Hochevar are as good a set-up trio as you can have. With such a questionable pitching staff, though, not to mention the improvement of their fellow AL Central residents, it could be a struggle for KC to even get back into the playoffs.

Detroit Tigers - Predicted Record: 82-80

It was a hard fall from grace last year for the Tigers, who entered 2015 with four consecutive AL Central titles, not to mention one World Series appearance over that span. Not only did that streak end, it came to a crashing halt, as Detroit crashed all the way into the division cellar. But it wasn't just the team's fault, having to deal with considerable injuries to some of their star players all year long, while most of their rivals were rapidly improving.

If their lineup can stay healthy this time around, it really can be as good as any around, still consisting of such premium sluggers like former Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez, and now Justin Upton, whom was signed over the winter. In addition, let's not forget about former All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler pacing these mashers atop the batting order. Cameron Maybin and Nick Castellanos have some pop as well. Without question, the Tigers offense is capable of outscoring anybody.

While Detroit's hitting should be a dependable constant, the same cannot be said of their starting pitching, which will be far from any sort of certainty. There's still Justin Verlander here, and while he had a solid rebound campaign last season, he's now years removed from his prime. They managed to sign Jordan Zimmermann over the winter, someone who will definitely provide an upgrade for this pitching staff, but with Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey and Daniel Norris behind him, it's just not a very encouraging group overall. The bullpen, though, looks like it has enough quality arms to be stable. The Tigers will receive an upgrade at closer with the addition of Francisco Rodriguez, and with Justin Wilson and Mark Lowe serving as his setup men, their relief corps could rank above many when all is said and done. Ultimately, the Tigers should at least get much closer than last year in trying to retain their Central division throne, but at the same time, it wouldn't be a surprise if they settled in the middle of the pack.

Chicago White Sox - Predicted Record: 77-85

There's an argument that could be made that the White Sox were the most disappointing team in the American League last season. With superstar-caliber players featured on both sides of the ball, this was a team that was supposed to take a leap, but ended up taking a backseat in second-to-last place.

One such superstar residing within the south side of Chicago is Chris Sale, the Clayton Kershaw-type ace of the American League who had arguably the most memorable run of any starter in 2015, when he tied the major league record with eight straight starts in which he struck out 10 batters or more. Is there enough beyond him, though? Jose Quintana has been as steady as any mid-rotation pitcher in the game the last few years, but might be a little out of his element cast as the team's No. 2 hurler. Carlos Rodon is a very intriguing prospect with a mega high ceiling, but could experience more growing pains in his sophomore season if he can't cut down on his walks. Meanwhile, John Danks and Mat Latos are below-average options for a major league rotation at this stage in their careers, and their presence could end up being costly for the White Sox. At least the bullpen looks sharp with David Robertson still closing and Nate Jones setting him up along with the resurgent Zach Duke.

Jose Abreu is the other superstar currently logging his prime years in Chicago, and it's his bat that is the main driving force of this lineup. He has another big-time hitter joining him this season on the opposite corner of the diamond, that being regular power threat Todd Frazier (although it cost them Zylbert Guy starting pitching prospect Frankie Montas). Adam Eaton, meanwhile, is not a superstar, at least not yet, but he has developed into a solid leadoff man who has a real leadership-type role on this team. Don't forget about Melky Cabrera either, being someone can still play at a high level when he stays healthy. There's potential with this team, but in such a tough and competitive division, it'll be real difficult again to break through.

Minnesota Twins - Predicted Record: 74-88

Although they did not make the playoffs a year ago, the Twins were undoubtedly one of the surprise teams in all of baseball, hovering around the top of the AL Wild Card hunt all year, even claiming ownership of one of the two spots for much of the campaign as well. They ultimately faded at the very end, but the message was received that they're back on the way up.

Or are they? Their strides last year were impressive, but Minnesota is still a club with glaring weaknesses. For one, their starting rotation is a little concerning. Phil Hughes, after all, is the leader of the staff, but is still prone to getting roughed up on occasion, especially when away from home. While this author has long been a supporter of Kyle Gibson, he may need to pick up his strikeouts if he really wants to ascend into an All-Star-type pitcher and help the Twins progress further. Ervin Santana and Tommy Milone are the other notable arms in place here, and will have to both be successful for Minnesota to make any noise, though that won't be an easy task. Their main relievers are pretty good, at least, as Glen Perkins has been marvelous as the team's closer for a few years now, and he has a fine group setting him up comprised of Kevin Jepsen, Trevor May and Casey Fien.

The Twins offense probably has a higher ceiling, and much of that has to do with the growth of their special youngster over at the hot corner Miguel Sano, who really does have MVP-caliber potential if his rookie showing is any indication. Odds are he's going to be an impact bat for the next several years. Sano is sparking a youth movement that also consists of Byron Buxton, the speedy outfielder that boasts a lot of promise, and Brian Dozier, someone already entrenched as one of the better offensive second basemen in the game. Minnesota will absolutely need more contributions around them, specifically from former AL MVP Joe Mauer, who hasn't been as successful in recent years, but can still swing a solid bat. Trevor Plouffe and newcomer Byung-ho Park will be relied upon as well. Despite an encouraging campaign last year, the Twins might end up taking a step back in one of the more feisty divisions in baseball.

Evaluating AL Central Division Bets

Those looking to bet on Kansas City at +125 to continue their reign should be very weary of their starting pitching this year, as it could be single-handedly be their undoing. Also, the team's mental drive just may not be there this year, after winning it all following a year in which they narrowly lost by seven games in the World Series. Collectively, it's just a much different situation, and will be even tougher with improvements around the division. That's where bettors should consider the Indians at +220, armed with their potentially awesome starting rotation, a quality manager, and one of the game's top managers in Terry Francona. That's probably the best bet within this group. The Tigers are an intriguing bet at +400, as they can outhit anybody, and the pitching staff should ideally be improved after signing Jordan Zimmermann. The problem is their depth is lacking in that area. The White Sox are a very interesting +700 bet, but remember, they were a big disappointment last season, and will enter the new campaign with that annoying off-the-field distraction over Adam LaRoche's son that has pitted the clubhouse against the general manager. Meanwhile, Minnesota made some nice positive strides last year, making their +1000 odds stand out, but more likely than not, they simply won't outlast the other four teams. This is still a young team gradually trying to work its way up.

[StarDust Bum]

AL West Preview

Houston Astros - Predicted Record: 89-73

From 2011-13, the Astros were the biggest laughingstock in all of baseball, averaging a woeful 108 losses annually over that span. They made some progress in the 2014 campaign, getting to 70 wins, so when the club broke out with 86 victories a year ago, en route to stifling the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game, it was one of baseball's bigger surprises in quite some time. Now, Houston is expected to contend, with potential to do so much more.

Looking at the lineup, there's really a lot of talent in place here that could have the Astros set for a really long time. They're certainly in terrific shape concerning the shortstop position, after former No. 1 overall draft pick Carlos Correa made his long-awaited debut and impressed the baseball world right away. If you watched him even briefly, you know the comparisons to a young Alex Rodriguez are legitimate. Of course, the Astros already have a star playing alongside him at second base, that of course being Jose Altuve, while George Springer certainly has mammoth potential to be one as well if he can just stay healthy. So right there, that's three upper echelon youngsters Houston has to build around. Carlos Gomez and Evan Gattis are plus bats in this offense, too, and should help ensure the Astros are in the mix all season long.

With last year's AL Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel leading the rotation, it's easy to say Houston's starting pitching is in a healthy state as well. In fact, Keuchel was so good that he finished the campaign a perfect 16-0 at home, including playoffs. Collin McHugh clocks in right behind him, coming off a season in which he nearly won 20 games. There's more quality depth with youngster Lance McCullers, who had a nice rookie showing in '15, and while he's beginning the new season on the disabled list, the club does have serviceable veteran Scott Feldman to keep his spot warm in the meantime. Proven Doug Fister, who was acquired over the offseason, and Mike Fiers round it out to comprise just a nice group overall. The bullpen received an upgrade as well with the addition of Ken Giles as the new closer, and with former closer Luke Gregerson setting him up, it's one of the better 1-2 punches finishing off ballgames. Having desirable talent everywhere, the Astros should be playing into October for a second straight year.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Predicted Record: 87-75

You might not realize it but the Angels have established quite the track record over the past decade and change, possessing 10 winning seasons in the past 12 years. The problem? A lack of success when it comes time for the playoffs, often falling short of high expectations, and last year was just another such instance in a long line of them.

That doesn't mean they won't be right back in the thick of things, as remember, this is the team that employs the best player in all of Major League Baseball, that of course being in reference to the great Mike Trout. The former AL MVP is obviously the main piece here, and he's received some nice assistance from fellow intimidating slugger Albert Pujols, but one of the Angels' main issues in recent years is the lack of depth surrounding them. However, this could be the year that all changes. Kole Calhoun and C.J. Cron, for example, are two fine youngsters who are starting to come into their own as everyday players with a plus bat. Recognizing a need for extra lumber, Anaheim went out and acquired Yunel Escobar and defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons, who both will provide an upgrade to the left side of the infield. Pesky second baseman Johnny Giavotella is also worth pointing out as well.

If the Angels are to get back into the postseason, though, they'll probably need more of an improvement as it concerns their starting pitching. Jered Weaver is still one of the main arms in this rotation, but with significantly declining velocity, his days appear to be numbered. Thus, it's important Garrett Richards continues to solidify himself as an upper echelon starter. C.J. Wilson, who bounced back nicely last season, is dealing with injury issues and will begin the year on the disabled list, so it is very imperative that the likes of Andrew Heaney and 2015 All-Star Hector Santiago continue to evolve into dependable major league pitchers. Fellow youngsters Nick Tropeano and Tyler Skaggs -- the latter returning from Tommy John surgery -- could end up being very important pitchers for Anaheim, too. The bullpen, fortunately, looks to be stable, with Huston Street still serving as the closer, and a pretty good pair in Joe Smith and Fernando Salas setting him up. It looks like another winning season is in the cards for the Halos, but their playoff destiny will be up to how well the young starting pitching holds up.

Texas Rangers - Predicted Record: 83-79

It's pretty rare to see a team complete a worst-to-first transformation, but that's exactly what the Rangers did in 2015 under then-new manager Jeff Banister. In fact, their improvement of 21 games from the previous season was the second largest increase in major league history, and they became the fifth team ever to make the postseason one year after having the league's worst record (which was mainly due to injuries). So, what's next for Texas?

Given their hard-hitting offense, which plays half its games in one of the friendliest parks for hitters in all of baseball, the Rangers should still be one the main players in the AL West. Prince Fielder will have a say in the lineup's continued success, having bounced back in a huge way after missing nearly all of 2014, so much so that he was rewarded with the AL's Most Improved Player award last season. There's also still Adrian Beltre, one of the most dangerous third basemen in the game. Shin-Soo Choo and Mitch Moreland can still rake, while Rougned Odor is a trendy pick to break out into an upper echelon second baseman this year. Plus, they also added Ian Desmond to play the outfield with Elvis Andrus still at shortstop, and that's something that could end up being one of the more underrated moves over the winter.

The Achilles' heel for the Rangers historically has always been their starting pitching, but they could actually end up having one of the better rotations in the American League. It will be dependent on the health of their staff ace, Yu Darvish, who missed all of 2015 thanks to Tommy John surgery. He's set to make his season debut at some point in May or June, and if all goes according to plan, Texas should be good with their pitching. They have another ace-caliber starter behind him in Cole Hamels, whom the club acquired from Philadelphia last year at the trade deadline. Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Colby Lewis follow suit, providing decent work on the back-end. The relief corps can also be a strength for the Rangers, as Shawn Tolleson was outstanding last year in his first time closing, while Keone Kela and Sam Dyson form an above-average pair in setting him up. With how tough the AL West is these days, it's hard to tell if the Rangers can repeat as division champs, but they'll certainly be in the mix.

Oakland Athletics - Predicted Record: 78-84

It's still hard to believe that halfway through the 2014 season, the Athletics were the best team in the American League, mowing down through the competition and taking on all adversaries with ease. Then overrated general manager Billy Beane put his fingers on the roster, and poof, all those big plans vanished and the A's have literally been the worst team in the American League since.

To Beane's credit, he did make some slight alterations for this year's group, and the results could be considerably positive. For one, he deserves a tip of the cap for acquiring the underrated Khris Davis, someone that has displayed enormous power potential and is surely a breakout candidate, now being one of the focal points of an offense unlike during his time in Milwaukee. He also lured in underappreciated Yonder Alonso, another slugger with notable potential, and brought back Jed Lowrie, one of the better slugging second basemen in the league. Combine those names with what's already in place in Oakland, such as Josh Reddick, Stephen Vogt, "Country Breakfast" Billy Butler and emerging leadoff man Billy Burns, and you have a pretty formidable lineup to trot up to the plate.

The starting pitching that's here is pretty good, too. Sonny Gray, entering his fourth season in the big leagues, is already one of the more established aces in the AL. The A's have a drop-off in talent after him, but there's still a group beyond him capable of being productive. Jesse Hahn, for instance, must stay healthy and will be capable of a nice full season. The same argument could be made for Kendall Graveman. There were also a couple of sneaky additions over the winter for this rotation, one being Rich Hill, who absolutely blossomed after a September call-up with the Red Sox last year. The other was former All-Star Henderson Alvarez, and while he's set to begin the year on the disabled list, his inclusion could pay dividends. Sean Doolittle is in place as the closer, meanwhile, with Ryan Madson and newcomer Liam Hendriks keeping leads in place for him. One thing is for certain; Oakland should be much improved from last year's disaster.

Seattle Mariners - Predicted Record: 74-88

The Mariners were supposed to be really good a year ago, even entering the campaign with World Series possibilities in the eyes of some (including this author), only to disappoint mightily and land in second-to-last place. It was a season that led to the dismissal of Lloyd McClendon. Now Scott Servais is in place, and with much of the same roster, Seattle will still have lofty expectations to trying to end baseball's longest playoff drought.

It's been 15 years now since the Mariners last made the postseason, but it looks like they have an offense that can contend with many. For instance, they sport one of the game's premier power hitters in Nelson Cruz, who is still comfortably in his prime and is a regular amongst the league-leaders in home runs annually. Also residing in the heart of the order is Robinson Cano, and while he is coming off a down season by his high standards, he did enjoy an encouraging second half of 2015 that would indicate he should be fine for the upcoming campaign. Those two will absolutely need to put up their usual numbers for the Mariners to be in solid shape because the supporting cast isn't anything to brag about. Kyle Seager is a very nice player to have at the hot corner, and the club did add underrated power bat Adam Lind, but with an outfield projected to include Nori Aoki, Leonys Martin and Seth Smith, it's just not a desirable group.

The pitching rotation may have a bit of a higher ceiling, as always being led by Felix Hernandez, though "The King" will be following up a season in which he produced his highest ERA since 2007, and recorded his fewest strikeouts since '08. Nonetheless, there's pretty good depth beneath him on the staff, with the return of Hisashi Iwakuma in the No. 2 slot despite almost bolting for the Dodgers over the offseason. The club's two talented young arms, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, are both still here, and whether or not they can finally harness their awesome potential may be one of the season's key storylines for Seattle in trying to lock up that elusive playoff berth. The team also acquired Wade Miley and Nathan Karns, who are both fine additions for the back-end. Speaking of acquisitions, the Mariners have a new closer with the arrival of Steve Cishek. He'll be set up by Joaquin Benoit and good ol' reliable Charlie Furbush. Overall, it looks like Seattle has a team that could end up producing a wide variety of results, but in a tough division, the odds may not be in their favor of advancing into the postseason.

Evaluating AL West Division Bets

In my opinion, this is the toughest division in baseball this year to handicap from a futures bet standpoint. That's because all five teams -- even the A's, who have been pegged by many to finish in last again -- all have potential to go on an extensive run and win the AL West. Oakland, as alluded to, made some minor additions that could go a long way in getting them back to where they were before the 2014 trade deadline, so their +1200 odds are a little tempting, but probably not the way to go. The Astros are clearly on the way up with their rebuilding process over and their youth fully arrived for the most part. Thus, grabbing them at +150 could prove to be a pretty good investment. The Rangers are right behind them with +300 odds, which is excellent value for the club that just won the division title a year ago, and with ace Yu Darvish coming back, a repeat wouldn't be a surprise at all. Meanwhile, the Mariners have been knocking on the door for the past few years now, so it could be their turn to break out, though bettors would like more than the +365 odds that's currently being offered. And if the Angels can get acceptable starting pitching, they look like great value in the +420 range. As emphasized, it's just really, really tough to call.

[StarDust Bum]

Baker back with Nats for 'one last album'
March 29, 2016

Former pitcher Mark Prior ran into Dusty Baker in San Diego last year at a scouting event his old manager's son was participating in. Baker was out of baseball after being fired by the Cincinnati Reds, but baseball wasn't out of him.

''You can tell the desire and the fire is still in him,'' Prior said. ''He wants to try to win a World Series. You can tell that it eats him up a little bit that he's been close a couple times and hasn't been able to punch through.''

With his passion as strong as ever, Baker needed an opportunity. Last fall the Washington Nationals gave it to him, hiring the 66-year-old to replace Matt Williams as manager.

When veteran pitcher Bronson Arroyo heard the news, he texted Baker, ''Hey, back at it again.'' Baker replied: ''Yeah, one last album.''

Baker's last album could be his final chance to win the championship that has evaded him. The challenge for the old-school baseball lifer is to guide the stacked Nationals - led by Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman and Jonathan Papelbon - back to the postseason after their 2015 collapse.

''He's great with young players, he's good with veterans,'' said retired outfielder Doug Glanville, the ESPN analyst who played for Baker with the Chicago Cubs. ''I'm very curious to see how everything evolves with him in D.C. with personalities like Harper, young guys who are kind of new-school ... and meshing that with the team that's got a lot of talent.''

Baker led the Giants, Cubs and Reds to the playoffs and won the National League pennant with San Francisco in 2002. None of those teams were arguably as deep or as talented as the 2016 Nationals.

Those who have known Baker for decades aren't worried about how he'll adjust to more modern sabermetrics or video replay. It's his ability to connect with people that sets him apart.

''Communication may be a little higher than knowing your Xs and Os,'' said Nationals first base coach Davey Lopes, a longtime friend of Baker and the godfather to his daughter. ''You can have all the Xs and Os and there's a lot of guys that can't communicate, they can't get these guys to take it to the next level. That's not Dusty's situation. For me, I'd say he's one of the best communicators I've ever seen.''

Despite being 30 years older than the Nationals' oldest players, Baker is still one of the boys. He proudly wears his wristbands and the jewelry he jokingly calls ''the Mr. T starter set.'' He often has his signature toothpick in his mouth, which is actually a Tea Tree Australian chewing stick that Baker uses to try to avoid dipping tobacco.

Despite his deep baseball roots, Baker's interests lie beyond the game.

Former players recall him bringing vegetables from his garden into the clubhouse and quoting rapper 50 Cent in speeches.

While he was not managing, Baker got involved in solar and wind power, jumped into the wine business, traveled to Montana and Canada and spent time with the Native American Cheyenne tribe. Arroyo said Baker went into one pitchers meeting and said he'd talk in a different language each day and they'd have to guess what it is.

''He's a real worldly guy,'' Arroyo said. ''You know the commercial `The Most Interesting Man in the World?' Dusty's like the second-most interesting man in the world.''

''I call him the chameleon because he can adapt to anything and fit in anywhere, any place,'' former player Eric Karros added. ''He's somebody that can walk into a room and you can have six different cultures and he fits with everybody and there's no uneasiness. Everything's comfortable.''

Baker is really comfortable in a manager's office, conceding he missed the game and that people tell him now that he looks happy again.

All of Baker's worldliness won't help him decide who to pinch-hit or when to pull a starting pitcher from a game. The reputation of wearing out pitchers' arms dating to his time with Prior and Kerry Wood still follows him around, but Prior said he doesn't fault Baker for how injuries derailed his career.

No matter Baker's decisions, his confidence engenders loyalty among players that goes along with his decades in baseball and the authority that comes with those experiences.

Baker commands respect from his World Series-winning playing career and 20 seasons as a major league manager. He signed on for two years with the Nationals, which made Arroyo smile after hearing Baker say for years that he once dreamt of winning a World Series in a red uniform.

''Seeing him come back, it's great because he is such a fixture of baseball's voice,'' Glanville said. ''I thought it was really important that he pass that torch in a way that he can end on the note he wants to end on.''

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Harvey all set, Francoeur cracks Braves
March 29, 2016

A look at what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona on Wednesday:

ALL CLEAR

After a brief scare, New York Mets ace Matt Harvey is still on track to start Sunday night's opener at Kansas City after passing a blood clot in his bladder. ''Passed it yesterday,'' Harvey said. ''It wasn't a great first day of my 27th birthday, but I cleared that and we had a little procedure done this morning just to go in and check the bladder, and everything was clear. I'm cleared to go, cleared to do some minor activities today, and then we'll be back to normal tomorrow.''

FRENCHY STICKS

Jeff Francoeur is staying with his hometown team. The Braves announced Tuesday that the 32-year-old has made Atlanta's opening day roster as a bench player after hitting .327 through 19 spring games. Francoeur began his career with Atlanta in 2005 as a heralded prospect that made the cover of Sports Illustrated. ''For me it's going to be really cool on Monday running out there back at Turner Field, especially being the last year,'' he said.

PRICE IS RIGHT

Red Sox manager John Farrell announced that left-hander David Price will be Boston's opening day starter Monday in Cleveland. The announcement was just a formality. The Red Sox signed Price to a seven-year, $217 million free agent contract in December.

COURT TV

The long-running television dispute between Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals is heading to mediation. New York Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Marks said in an order that the sides agreed to hold a mediation on April 12-13. A Feb. 24 letter from Nationals lawyer Stephen Neuwirth to Marks, which was posted to the case file, said the sides agreed to have Boston-based Eric Green mediate.

SEE YOU SOON?

Trea Turner's time is coming, but it's not quite here. The Nationals will send the shortstop prospect to the minors to start the season to work on his footwork, arm strength and leadership skills. ''A shortstop's got to have energy,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ''It gives everybody else energy.''