2033 Season Preview

American League

AL East:


1) Toronto Blue Jays
2) Baltimore Orioles*
3) New York Yankees
4) Boston Red Sox

Analysis:
Baltimore shocked the world last year by keeping up with the Toronto juggernaut for most of the season before losing to Seattle in the second round. The Blue Jays lost Christopher Kent to free agency, which significantly weakens their rotation. To what extent, however, is yet to be seen, with Harry Fuccilo, Julio Rodney Jr., and Kenneth Claymore all returning. The Orioles arguably now have the deeper rotation, but Toronto always seems to find a way to get it done. The Yankees and Red Sox are making good strides, but are both at least a year away from being overly competitive in this division. With a smart move or two, however, New York could be in contention for the second wild card spot, and a triumphant return to the playoffs.



AL North:

1) Chicago White Sox
2) Milwaukee Brewers
3) Detroit Tigers
4) Minnesota Twins

Analysis:
This division is in turmoil at this point. The consensus strongest team in the division has been Milwaukee, but management problems have arisen early this season, putting their playoff hopes in doubt. A new GM in Chicago could mean a forced rebuild or a push for the playoffs, the latter of which would be the most successful for the team. Detroit is still a year away, but their young and explosive offense may be able to help alliveate some of the pressure put on a weaker pitching staff, and has the potential to cause some problems in this division. Minnesota has some nice pieces, but still looks to be in the middle of a full tilt rebuild. Look for potential AL Rookie of the Year David Maxwell-Walker to have a strong year in spite of his team's expected struggles.



AL South:

1) Mexico City Aztecs
2) San Antonio Alamos
3) Texas Rangers
4) Houston Astros


Analysis:
Mexico City has this division in the bag. Although the Aztecs have an aging roster, the other three teams are still in the midst of their own respective rebuilding projects. San Antonio is the closest to being a contender, and have several excellent young pieces to continue building around. Another season of smart decision making should allow them to compete with their southern rivals next season. Texas still needs a few more high end pieces to build around, and Houston looks to be in year one of a rebuild, so do not expect much competition from the bottom of this division.



AL West:

1) Seattle Cascades
2) Victoria Archers*
3) Los Angeles Angels
4) Shanghai Crowned Cranes


Analysis:
Although this division is no longer the difficult 4-way title race it used to be, Seattle has looked like Toronto's biggest non-divisional AL competition for the past few seasons, and their offense has once again improved. With reliever Xin Su and the much maligned Zomiro Puig in contract years, their window looks to be closing a little faster than expected. Strong spring training performances from not only the entire offense, but especially designated hitter Eric Jenson, shortstop Derek Stanley, and free agent signing Ron Diggler, show the potential for an even more deadly offense this season. They will need improvement from Gilberto Heredia, and a strong showing from veterans Antonio Barbosa and Carson Campbell, however, to go far in the playoffs. After Seattle, the division gets interesting. Victoria struck out in free agency, but kept pace with the Cascades throughout spring training. Miguel Velarde and Gary Steele-Johnson will need to have strong seasons, but the Archers look like a legitimate threat to Seattle's AL West reign, and to be in contention for a wild card berth. The Angels continue to have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the league, led by perrenial Cy Young candidate Jasper Garvey, but made no significant improvements to their offense, and could be in for a difficult season. Shanghai, once the star of the West, has fallen from their pedestal, and will need to pick the pieces back up to be competitive.







National League


NL East:

1) New York Mets
2) Brooklyn Americans*
3) Philadelphia Phillies*
4) Washington Nationals


Analysis:
This is now the deepest division in baseball. All 4 teams have a shot at the playoffs. Washington's new GM seems intent on tearing the team down and starting from scratch, but they have enough high end pieces to field a dangerously competitive squad. Philadelphia always finds a way to get better as the year goes on, and will need to do so this year to have a shot at the Division. Brooklyn was everybody's surprise last year, and dominated spring training this season. They are on the rise, but it seems unlikely that they will be able to unseat the reigning NL Pennant Winner. The Mets returned a majority of their World Series roster, but dominated free agency, snapping up former All-Star Seattle catcher Kent Katt, and former AL MVP Kila Ka'aihue. This makes their offense lethal, and their pitching always finds a way to be better than they look. Plain and simple, until they lose, this is New York's division.


NL North:

1) Colorado Rockies
2) Chicago Cubs
3) Portland Loggers
4) St. Louis Cardinals


Analysis:
St. Louis won the bidding war for Randy Inrig, but one superstar can't lead a roster of misfits to glory. Do not expect them to accomplish much this season while they continue a lengthy rebuild. Portland has the potential to become something in a few seasons, and good management has them on the right track for the future. Right now, however, they aren't much to speak of. This division will come down to Colorado and Chicago, and the difference will be how each team's MVP finalist outfielders will perform. Can Joshua Shreibman out duel former #1 Overall Pick Tino Morales?


NL South:

1) Cincinnati Reds
2) Atlanta Braves
3) São Paolo Toco Toucans
4) Miami Marlins


Analysis:
The Reds have bided their time, and have developed the best young rotation in the game, with Nicolas Castro-Irizabal, Earl Hardy Jr., and Ivan Rodriguez Jr. all under the age of 25. Their offense will need to produce to put them atop the division, because Atlanta and São Paolo are both nipping at their heels. Atlanta's rotation is also young, but is the team's weak link at the moment. São Paolo has a deep young rotation, but their offense could use some work. Miami is in the running for the first overall pick this season, and is a bottomdweller for sure. One thing is for certain, however. This division won't see three sub .400 teams again this season.



NL West:

1) Seoul Red Devils
2) Los Angeles Dodgers
3) Tokyo A's
4) San Francisco Giants


Analysis:
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Once the deepest division in the league, Seoul is the only one left with true playoff aspirations. San Francisco's lack of a GM has finally begun to decimate them, leaving them struggling to compete. Tokyo has very little to work with at the moment, and the Dodgers are fresh off of the #2 pick in the draft. While Jesus Medina is a special player, he isn't enough to put LA back in front. Seoul's pitching staff is weak, but their offense is good enough to be competitive this season. The future does not look bright for the NL West.



*Denotes Wild Card