2012 MLB Preview: Top 10 Storylines of the Upcoming Season

This offseason had everything—monster contracts, stars getting traded, a new stadium and Scott Boras again winning out in the end. Some teams over-payed, some got bargain deals and some will have to wait and see.  

If you've been in the football mindset for the past few months or are already dreaming of Opening Day, take a look at the top five storylines heading into 2012.

10. Two Wild Cards?

Bud Selig is pushing for two wild card teams in each league, and it could happen as early as 2012. It would give division winners more of an advantage, as the wild card teams would essentially have their own play-in game.

The Astros move to the AL is also imminent, it will take place before the 2013 season - which is also the latest that the two wild card idea could be set in place. Whether it be this season or next, Selig's change will forever change Major League Baseball.  

9. Young Teams Looking to Contend

The Nationals went out and got Gio Gonzalez in the offseason to join Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann in a talented young rotation. Jason Werth looks to bounce back from a season where he hit just .232.

If he can get it together, and Ryan Zimmerman can stay healthy, the Nats may make a run for the Wild Card in the NL.

Another young team that could make some noise this year is the Kansas City Royals. They got SP Jonathan Sanchez in an offseason trade with the Giants, and their lineup is loaded with young stars.

Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, and Jeff Francoeur are all coming off of good seasons, and have the potential to do great things. If the pitching staff can hold up, the Royals could have a big season in 2012.

8. Wainwright, Johnson Coming Back from Injury

Adam Wainwright's season ended before it even began in 2011, yet his Cardinals still went on to win the World Series. The 30 year old finished runner-up in Cy Young voting in 2010, and after over a year of rehab, Wainwright is looking strong and ready for a bounce-back 2012 campaign.

Josh Johnson can't seem to get rid of the injury bug that has plagued him throughout most of his career. Johnson pitched brilliantly to open the 2011 season, going 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in 9 starts before right shoulder inflammation ended his season prematurely.

The Marlins are in contention in 2012, and a healthy Johnson would go a long way in making the playoffs.

7. Milestones for A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez is climbing up the career lists, and if he can stay healthy, he can pass legendary Hall of Famers in the process.

Rodriguez needs 65 more runs to pass Lou Gehrig for 10th on the All-time list. He needs just 11 RBI to make it in to the top 10 and overtake Willy Mays. And if A-Rod can drive in 104, he can move all the way up to fourth - passing Murray, Foxx, Cobb, Musial, Gehrig, and Barry Bonds.

Lastly, he needs 2 HR to pass Ken Griffey, Jr. for 5th all-time, and can even reach and pass Willy Mays if he hits 32.

Love him or hate him, steroids or not, Alex Rodriguez is one of the best hitters the game has ever seen.

6. Is It Finally the Rangers Year?

The Rangers are the two-time defending AL Champions, but nobody in Texas cares about pennants, they want a World Series. After losing game six in wretched fashion, the Rangers lost game seven and went home empty handed for the second straight year.

They lost ace pitcher C.J. Wilson in the offseason, but added Yu Darvish from Japan to fill the void. They still have a dominant offense, but with the Tigers and Angels adding big names in Fielder and Pujols, the Rangers will have trouble trying to win the AL for the third straight year.

5. Ryan Braun's Likely Suspension

Any day now, we should receive word on the outcome of Ryan Braun's appeal. All signs are pointing to a 50 game suspension, which means trouble for the Brewers. If the MLB does suspend him, it will show that baseball has control of the PED situation and that we are indeed moving past the sterod era.

The very talented Brewers team that won 96 games last year lost Prince Fielder to free agency and looks like they won't have their reigning MVP for the first 50 games. The way the Brewers play without him in a wide-open NL Central will determine playoff fates in the coming year.

4. Phillies and Red Sox Look to Rebound

A little over a year ago, when the Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent Cliff Lee, the team was deemed unbeatable. Their rotation was said to possibly be the best of all time. People were handing them the World Series title before the season started.

Fourteen months later, after a 102-win season and a heartbreaking 1-0 Game 5 loss in the NLDS, the hype is much quieter heading into 2012. Despite Ryan Howard having to miss a chunk of the season, the Phillies are still a very talented team and are looking to make a World Series run this season.

The Red Sox were nearly in the same boat as the Phillies last year. With the newly acquired Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, Boston looked to be the favorite to win the AL Pennant. But after their historic collapse, they missed the playoffs entirely.

New managed Bobby Valentine is looking to restore order within the organization and bring back playoff success in 2012.

3. Newcomers to the Show

Yu Darvish was signed by the Texas Rangers in the offseason for $60 million on top of the near $52 million posting fee. The 25-year-old from Japan has been dominating overseas with a 1.72 ERA in his five seasons playing in the Japan Pacific League.

Everyone wants to know how those numbers translate to MLB and if Yu can help the Rangers win the World Series—something they have fallen just short of each of the past two years.

Another exciting player who could play his first MLB game this year is the Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper. The young outfielder is attempting to make the 25-man roster in 2012, and the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft has hype surrounding his every move.

If he does secure a roster spot, look for all eyes to be on him Opening Day.

2. Revamped Marlins

A new stadium, new location, new manager, new uniforms and a new outlook has Miami Marlins fans buzzing about the 2012 season. Though the uniforms are a little too vibrant, it's the players who matter, and Miami got one of the top free agents in SS Jose Reyes.

They also got manager Ozzie Guillen and SP Mark Buehrle, both coming over from the White Sox. Hanley Ramirez will reluctantly move to third base to make room for Reyes. The Hanley issues have a chance to boil over this season, as he has had behavioral issues in the past.

But no matter what happens, the Marlins' 2012 season will be a colorful one.

1. Superstars Changing Teams

Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both decided they needed a change of scenery and left the NL Central for the Junior Circuit. Albert joined the Los Angeles Angels for a cool 10-year, $240 million contract and immediately made them a World Series contender.

With their rotation of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and the newly-acquired C.J. Wilson, the Angels have a dominant pitching staff, and Albert adds some pop to an otherwise average lineup.

Prince Fielder took a bit longer to sign his own monster contract, with his for nine years, worth $214 million. He joins Miguel Cabrera to create the best 3-4 duo in the game.

The intriguing question this brings is: If Cabrera can hit like he did last year with 12-homer Victor Martinez protecting him, what will he do with Prince backing him up?

It should be a dominant offensive year for the Tigers, and with ace Justin Verlander, the sky is the limit for the Detroit Tigers.