2009 MLB Predictions: Mets Will Be 2009 World Series Champs

It's that time of year again where the season is about to begin, and we all try and figure out what is going to happen over the next 162 games.

Needless to say, it was an eventful offseason, full of teams trying to improve themselves, despite a crumbling economy.

The Yankees tried to buy their way back to prominence, signing arguably the three best free agents.

The Mets revamped their bullpen, and with Jerry Manuel in charge, look primed to make a run, but the Phillies stand in their way as they will try to defend their title.

All in all, it looks like it will be one exciting season.

NL East

1. New York Mets (92-70) 

Last year, the Mets' bullpen blew a staggering 29 saves. This year, with all-stars Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz in the 'pen, that will turn around.

Johan Santana is now comfortable with the league, which is a scary thought, and the Mets have three Hall-of-Fame-caliber players in their primes. This team is ready to pull it together. 

2. Philadelphia Phillies (87-75)

The Phillies are strong again, but can Brad Lidge, historically a fly ball pitcher pitching at Citizens Bank Park, be perfect again?

Will Chad Durbin be able to repeat his great season?

With J.C. Romero missing 50 games, and the unlikelihood that perfection can strike twice in a row, the bullpen will be a little worse this season.

Factor in that 24-year old ace Cole Hamels is already feeling elbow troubles after increasing his innings by 70-plus last season and you have a team with a lot of questions.

Great line-up, and still they still have a solid pitching staff, and combined should end up putting Philly back into the playoffs. 

3. Atlanta Braves (84-78)

Improved their starting pitching, but still do not have a full-fledged ace. Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano have yet to prove their worth by pitching a full season for a contending team, and the rest of the bullpen is underwhelming as well.

The line-up needs for Chipper Jones to play at least 140 games, and for Jeff Francoeur to be the same stud he was for this team to really challenge the Mets and Phillies. 

4. Florida Marlins (80-82)

Fantastic rotation full of top-notch talent, but overall, this team is too young to contend right now. They are, however, sure to be a pain in the behind to the rest of the NL East. 

5. Washington Nationals (70-92) 

Won't even given the rest of the NL East a hint of a scare. 

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs (96-66) 

Strongest team in the NL on paper—Devastating rotation, as long as Rich Harden can throw 150 innings. As for the bullpen, the Carlos Marmol-Kevin Gregg combination is a very solid end-game, and the line-up is solid all around.

No real challenge in the division; the challenge will be winning in October. 

2. St. Louis Cardinals (85-77)

Anything's possible with Albert Pujols. Factor in that Chris Carpenter is expected back, and you have a team that can surprise people, especially in a weak division. But the rest of the lineup and the bullpen is underwhelming. 

3. Milwaukee Brewers (83-79) 

No team can lose their top two starters, barely replace them, and expect to win. The line-up of solid hitters in a weak division will, however, keep the Crew over .500. 

4. Cincinnati Reds (81-81) 

Many people are picking the Reds to be this year's Rays, but I can't see it; not with a young lineup and a weak bullpen. The starting rotation is terrific though, and will get the Reds to .500. 

5. Houston Astros (76-86)

After Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Carlos Lee, and Jose Valverde, I don't really see what this team has to offer. 

6. Pittsburgh Pirates (74-88) 

Not yet. 

NL West 

1. Arizona Diamondbacks (90-72) 

Best one-two punch in the league in Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, plus a solid bullpen and emerging young position players make this the team to beat out West.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (86-76) 

Manny Ramirez makes this a very imposing offensive team, but the pitching staff has a lot of questions and just doesn't stand up to that of Arizona's. The Dodgers will finish one game behind the Phillies for the NL Wild Card spot. 

3. San Francisco Giants (80-82) 

Great top of the rotation also, and a decent bullpen, but not much else. The Giants have the chance to surprise, but don't count on it. 

4. Colorado Rockies (78-84) 

Just not a great team. Poor pitching makes it impossible for this team to really make a run at October baseball.

5. San Diego Padres (67-95) 

Honestly, this team doesn't even warrant a summary. 

Awards

NL MVP: Carlos Beltran, Mets

NL Cy Young: Johan Santana, Mets

NL ROY: Cameron Maybin, FLA

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox (98-64) 

This team has the deepest pitching staff—both in the rotation and bullpen—in the major leagues. Factor in a dangerous offense, and this team has it all. Best team in baseball on paper.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (95-67)

Tampa Bay is the second-best team in baseball on paper. Adding David Price to the rotation and bringing in multiple free agent relievers makes the pitching staff much better than last season.

Factor in Pat Burrell's powerful right-handed bat and this team has a chance to go back to the World Series. 

3. New York Yankees (88-74)

Yes, I know. The Yankees spent big bucks so therefore, they should win. Except, they just aren't a great team.

CC Sabathia is a great pitcher, but he weighs almost 300 pounds, and has thrown over 500 innings the last two years, so injury or ineffectiveness is a potential issue.

A.J. Burnett has only thrown 200 innings twice in his career. Each time, he missed the next season with a huge injury. That trend is likely to continue.

Mariano Rivera is 39 years old, and he's got to fall off the cliff sometime. The rest of the bullpen, meanwhile, isn't imposing.

Now, the line-up—A-Rod is out until at least May. Robinson Cano is coming off a bad year, Derek Jeter is 35 and has been declining for two years, and the OF situation looks bleak.

Jorge Posada can't even throw to second base anymore.

Way too many questions. Factor in that the Yankees are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and I think I'm being generous giving them 88 wins. 

4. Toronto Blue Jays (77-85) 

Toronto is a rebuilding team in a tough division. Roy Halladay is a franchise player, but he might be traded at the deadline. It's going to be a tough season north of the border. 

5. Baltimore Orioles (72-90)

A lost season this year, but a lot to look forward to, such as phenom Matt Wieters. Good future in Baltimore. 

AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins (89-73)

Minnesota has a deep rotation, a solid bullpen, a few star players, and the Twins' karma will lead them back into October. 

2. Cleveland Indians (88-74)

Cleveland is a strong, strong team. If Travis Hafner comes back at 100 percent, they could win this division. They'll have a shot even if he doesn't fully come back. 

3. Kansas City Royals (83-79) 

Alex Gordon, Zack Greinke, and Kyle Davies look like they're ready to break out.

As far as pitching is concerned, Greinke, Meche, and Davies form a solid starting trio, and a strong bullpen will lead to a phenomenal closer in Joakim Soria.

Offensively, the Royals have a young lineup, and could surprise a lot of teams.

4. Chicago White Sox (79-83)

Chicago stupidly traded Swisher and Vazquez away, and will drop a lot in the standings as a result of a weak pitching staff and a line-up that isn't terribly imposing. 

5. Detroit Tigers (76-86)

The Tigers really just don't have any pitching. The lineup is strong, but with zero pitching, Detroit is bound to a second straight last-place finish.

AL West

1. Los Angeles Angels (93-69)

The top three starters are injured to start the season, so that doesn't bode well, but this team always has a knack for finding pitching, and plays the best intangible baseball in the league.

Mike Scoscia is the best manager in baseball. 

2. Oakland Athletics (85-77)

Oakland got Matt Holliday to fill the role as the big hitter they need, and they have a lot of solid pitching.

They just don't have enough to top the Angels. However, if the Angels' top three starters are out for an extended period of time, and they can't figure it out, the A's have a chance to play in October. 

3. Texas Rangers (80-82)

Actually, the Rangers weren't a bad team last season. After a 9-18 start, they finished 70-65. As usual, they will mash, but still don't have a lot of pitching.

My 2010 AL West pick though, seeing as top prospects Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland are a year away. 

4. Seattle Mariners (73-89)

Full rebuilding mode for the M's. Ken Griffey Jr. will be a very sentimental character this season, but Seattle is clearly not going to be a factor in the playoff race, and instead will look to build for future success.

Awards

AL MVP: Mark Teixeira, Yankees

AL Cy Young: Jon Lester, Red Sox

AL ROY: David Price, Rays

Playoff Glance: 

NLDS: Phillies over Cubs, Mets over Diamondbacks 

ALDS: Red Sox over Twins, Rays over Angels

NLCS: Mets over Phillies 

ALCS: Red Sox over Rays 

World Series: Mets over Red Sox: The Mets' window to win is now, with the best pitcher in baseball, the best bullpen duo in the game, and three Hall-of-Fame-caliber players in their primes. They will christen new CitiField with a World Series Title.