MLB Spring Training 2012: Ranking Top 10 Teams Poised for Big Turnaround

Every team enters spring training looking to improve on last season's performance, unless you are the reigning World Series champs.

Whether it is a rebuilding team looking to take the next step back towards contention, a team on the cusp making a postseason push or a team that had a down season the previous year looking to bounce back, every team has reason to believe they'll be better in 2012.

Here is a look at the 10 teams who make the biggest improvements to their win-loss record in 2012, with a look at who they added this offseason and why exactly they are headed for an improvement.

Minnesota Twins

2011 Record

63-99 (Fifth in AL Central)

Key Additions

C/DH Ryan Doumit (FA), SS Jamey Carroll (FA), RF Josh Willingham (FA), SP Jason Marquis (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Twins were dealt a blow this offseason when they were unable to re-sign both Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. However, adding Willingham helps offset that, and Carroll will help shore up a middle infield that was a disaster.

In the end, though, simply getting back a healthy Mauer and doing a better job avoiding the injury bug—which shouldn't be too hard after seemingly the entire team was hurt last year—should make the Twins better. They're not playoff good, but they won't be the worst team in the AL again.

Projected Improvement

Plus-seven wins (70-92)

Seattle Mariners

2011 Record

67-95 (Fourth in AL West)

Key Additions

C John Jaso (Trade TB), C/DH Jesus Montero (Trade NYY), SP Kevin Millwood (FA), SP Hector Noesi (Trade NYY), RP George Sherrill (FA), RP Hong-Chih Kuo (FA), RP Shawn Camp (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

After Prince Fielder talks fell through, the Mariners turned to the trade market to upgrade their abysmal offense, as they dealt All-Star starter Michael Pineda to the Yankees for Montero and Noesi, who will fill his rotation spot.

In Montero, Dustin Ackley, Mike Carp and Justin Smoak, the Mariners have a good young offensive core, and if they can get improved production from Franklin Gutierrez (.224 BA) and Chone Figgins (.188 BA), they should be able to improve on last season's finish.

Projected Improvement

Plus-seven wins (74-88)

Toronto Blue Jays

2011 Record

81-81 (Fourth in AL East)

Key Additions

C Jeff Mathis (Trade LAA), 2B Kelly Johnson (FA Re-Sign), SS Omar Vizquel (FA), OF Ben Francisco (Trade PHI), RP Sergio Santos (Trade CWS), RP Jason Frasor (Trade CWS), RP Darren Oliver (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Blue Jays had a fairly quiet offseason after many believed they were in the running for both Prince Fielder and Yu Darvish, instead filling out their bullpen and bringing back Johnson to play second base.

However, with a full season of Johnson, Brett Lawrie and Colby Rasmus, coupled with an improved 'pen and perhaps the most underrated starter in all of baseball in Ricky Romero fronting the staff, simple progression alone should make the team better at season's end. Not postseason better, but another step in that direction.

Projected Improvement

Plus-seven wins (88-74)

Washington Nationals

2011 Record

80-81 (Third in NL East)

Key Additions

IF Mark DeRosa (FA), OF Rick Ankiel (FA), SP Gio Gonzalez (Trade OAK), SP Edwin Jackson (FA), RP Brad Lidge (FA), RP Ryan Perry (Trade DET)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Nationals have not been afraid to spend money the past few seasons, and while they failed to land any of the marquee free agents, the additions of Gonzalez and Jackson to a rotation that already featured two of the game's top young pitchers in Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman gives them an impressive staff.

With Adam LaRoche back from injury, young players with another year under their belt and the potential for Bryce Harper to make an impact this season, the offense is improved as well, and the Nationals should be right in the thick of things in the NL East this year.

Projected Improvement

Plus-eight wins (88-74)

San Diego Padres

2011 Record

71-91 (Fifth in NL West)

Key Additions

C John Baker (Trade MIA), C Yasmani Grandal (Trade CIN), 1B Yonder Alonso (Trade CIN), 1B/OF Mark Kotsay (FA), OF Carlos Quentin (Trade CWS), SP Edinson Volquez (Trade CIN), RP Huston Street Trade COL), RP Andrew Cashner (Trade CHC), RP Micah Owings (FA), RP Brad Boxberger (Trade CIN)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Padres had as busy an offseason as any team in baseball, and while they traded away their ace, Mat Latos, they received four players in return who will help in the present and future.

While trading your ace may seem like a rebuilding move, the team also acquired slugger Carlos Quentin to give their offense a boost and All-Star closer Huston Street to fill the void left by the departed Heath Bell. They are better than last year for sure, and as we've seen, anything can happen in the NL West.

Projected Improvement

Plus-nine wins (80-82)

Pittsburgh Pirates

2011 Record

72-90 (Fourth in NL Central)

Key Additions

C Rod Barajas (FA), 1B/3B Casey McGehee (Trade MIL), SS Clint Barmes (FA), UT Yamaico Navarro (Trade KC), OF Nate McLouth (FA), SP A.J. Burnett (Trade NYY), SP Erik Bedard (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Pirates did a nice job this offseason shopping the bargain bin to add a starting catcher, shortstop and a pitcher, then they cancelled all of that out by trading for A.J. Burnett. He could turn things around a bit and prove to be a useful pickup, but it was not a move that made much sense for the Pirates.

That said, after surprising for the first three-quarters of the season last year, the young Pirates core is another year older, and if they can get a bounce back season from Pedro Alvarez and some improved starting pitching down the stretch, they should be able to avoid a huge late-season skid and improve on last season.

Projected Improvement

Plus-nine wins (81-81)

Kansas City Royals

2011 Record 

71-91 (Fourth in AL Central)

Key Additions

SS Yuniesky Betancourt (FA), SP Jonathan Sanchez (Trade SF), SP Bruce Chen (FA Re-Sign), RP Jonathan Broxton (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

After watching Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas make the transition to the big leagues last season, more reinforcements from the farm system are on the way, as 2B Johnny Giavotella, C Salvador Perez and CF Lorenzo Cain will all open the season with starting jobs.

The team still needs help in the starting rotation, but trading for Sanchez and bringing back Chen were good moves, and prospects Mike Montgomery and Jake Odorizzi are on the way. Another year of progression for the young guys and a weakened AL Central (minus the Tigers) should mean an improved record, and maybe even a push for second in the division.

Projected Improvement

Plus-11 wins (82-80)

Cincinnati Reds

2011 Record

79-83 (Third in NL Central)

Key Additions

IF Wilson Valdez (Trade PHI), OF Ryan Ludwick (FA), SP Mat Latos (Trade SD), RP Ryan Madson (FA), RP Sean Marshall (Trade CHC)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Reds addressed their biggest issue this offseason in finding a reliable young starter to pair with Johnny Cueto atop the rotation, and while it cost them a pretty penny, it will be a big move towards their success in 2012.

They also added to their bullpen, and the Marshall/Madson combination in the eighth and ninth will shorten a lot of games.

In the end, though, the biggest reason for improvement in Cincinnati comes from the teams around them. The Cubs and Astros are rebuilding, and the Brewers and Cardinals each lost their superstar sluggers in free agency. The Reds should have a good chance at making the postseason because of that.

Projected Improvement

Plus-11 wins (90-72)

Los Angeles Angels

2011 Record 

86-76 (Second in AL West)

Key Additions

C Chris Iannetta (Trade COL), 1B Albert Pujols (FA), OF Ryan Langerhans (FA), SP C.J. Wilson (FA), RP LaTroy Hawkins (FA), RP Jason Isringhausen (FA)

Reason They'll Be Better

The Angels already had one of the most dynamic one-two punches atop their rotation in Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, and an offense that ranked in the middle-of-the-pack or better.

Adding Pujols immediately makes their lineup among the best in the AL, and adding Wilson gives them perhaps the best rotation in the American League. I still think the Rangers are the team to beat in the AL West, but the Angels look like a playoff team in 2012.

Projected Improvement

Plus-12 wins (98-64)

Miami Marlins

2011 Record

72-90 (Fifth in NL East)

Key Additions 

SS Jose Reyes (FA), 3B Greg Dobbs (FA Re-Sign), SP Mark Buehrle (FA), SP Carlos Zambrano (Trade CHC), RP Heath Bell (FA), Manager Ozzie Guillen (Trade CWS)

Reason They'll Be Better

With the opening of their new stadium, the Marlins set out to make a splash this offseason, and they did just that in adding a handful of high-profile veterans and an animated new manager in Guillen. 

The team already had a solid group of players in place in Giancarlo Stanton, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco, Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison. Adding so many talented veterans shows the team is looking to win now, and they should do plenty of winning in 2012 and beyond.

Projected Improvement

Plus-17 wins (89-73)