MLB: 2011 National League Preview and Predictions

The 2011 season is almost here, and as spring training begins, the offseason ends.

Teams will inevitably look slightly to substantially different on opening day then they do now, but we at least have a pretty good idea of each teams 40-man roster and ideal depth chart.

I have graded each team's projected 25-man roster in terms of starting pitching, bullpen, infield/catcher, Outfield/DH, and coaching. For infield and outfield grades, offense and defense are equal factors.

These grades and projections are all done as objectively and carefully as possible, each player was considered. A potentially excellent 5th outfielder could change a C- outfield to a C, and a bullpen with one extra great reliever could go up from a B- to a B. I was precise in my grades.

The projected records are based on a combination of the team's five letter grades as well as the strength of their division. Overall, the National League is projected to finish under .500, but I have balanced it so that the MLB is projected at exactly .500.

Just as we all can't wait for the season to start, you can't wait to stop reading this pointless introduction. So here we go.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - AUGUST 18: Outfielder Justin Upton #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempts to catch a home run hit by Jay Bruce (not pictured) of the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on August 18, 2010

Starting Pitching: C-

Relief Pitching: D

Infield/Catcher: C

Outfield: B

Coaching: C-

Forecast: A terrible contact hitting team with a weak bullpen and weak top of rotation spell doom for this team. 

Prediction: 68-94, 5th

Colorado Rockies

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies is welcomed back to the dugout by Carlos Gonzalez #5 after a successful sacrifice bunt against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 25, 2010 in Denver, Colo

Starting Pitching: C+

Relief Pitching: B

Infield/Catcher: B-

Outfield: C

Coaching: B+

Forecast: A team with a few great players and not enough support. Enough offense and pitching to compete, but lack of depth and defense could be team’s downfall.

Prediction: 82-80, 3rd

Los Angeles Dodgers

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 24: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen

Starting Pitching: B+

Relief Pitching: B-

Infield/Catcher: B

Outfield: B+

Coaching: C-

Forecast: With a strong rotation, a well-rounded offense, and a whole lot of defense, the Dodgers appear to be the most complete team in the closely contested West.

Prediction: 89-73, 1st

San Diego Padres

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 02: Heath Bell #21 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after they beat the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on October 2, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: B-

Relief Pitching: A

Infield/Catcher: D

Outfield: D+

Coaching: A

Forecast: The pitching staff returns intact and looks to keep this team in the race, but a weak offense got a whole lot weaker during the offseason.

Prediction: 79-83, 4th

San Francisco Giants

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Aubrey Huff #17 and Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants walks back to the dugout against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2010 in Arlin

Starting Pitching: A

Relief Pitching: A-

Infield/Catcher: B-

Outfield: C

Coaching: B+

Forecast: The pitching staff remains lights out, but this offense could return to earth, especially playing with a target on their backs. Quiet offseasons after championships don’t usually work.

Prediction: 87-75, 2nd

All NL West Team

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 24: Andre Ethier #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dodgers defeated the Diamondbacks 3-1. (Photo

Starters: Tim Lincecum, Ubaldo Jimenez, Mat Latos, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Cain

Bullpen: Heath Bell, Brian Wilson, Hong-Chih Kuo, Sergio Romo, Matt Belisle

Infield/Catcher: Aubrey Huff, Orlando Hudson, Troy Tulowitzki, Melvin Mora, Buster Posey

Outfield: Carlos Gonzalez, Andre Either, Chris Young

Manager: Bud Black

Chicago Cubs

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JULY 03: Geovany Soto #18 of the Chicago Cubs hits a run scoring double in the 6th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 3, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: B-

Relief Pitching: B-

Infield/Catcher: C

Outfield: B-

Coaching: D+ 

Forecast: This team has the potential to be great, as they are stacked with ultra-talented guys who are either injury prone or past their best years. If Mike Quade can pull things together, they could make the playoffs. If he can’t, it could get ugly.

Prediction: 83-79, 4th

Cincinnati Reds

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 10: Starting pitcher Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers the ball against the Philadelphia Phillies during game 3 of the NLDS at Great American Ball Park on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Phillies defeated the

Starting Pitching: C+

Relief Pitching: C

Infield/Catcher: A

Outfield: B+

Coaching: B

Forecast: The best offensive team in the NL should be better after adding experience and a potentially healthier pitching staff. 

Prediction: 91-71, 1st

Houston Astros

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 15: Hunter Pence #9 of the Houston Astros flies out to right field in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park on September 15, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: D+

Relief Pitching: C-

Infield/Catcher: D+

Outfield: B

Coaching: C

Forecast: Besides a versatile, dangerous outfield, this team is lacking both stars and depth. With Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman gone, so is an era.

Prediction: 71-91, 5th

Milwaukee Brewers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - JULY 15: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: B

Relief Pitching: B+

Infield/Catcher: B

Outfield: B+

Coaching: C-

Forecast: WIth the addition of Greinke, Marcum, and Saito, this offensively potent team suddenly looks like a well-rounded contender.

Prediction: 90-72, 2nd

Pittsburgh Pirates

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 21: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game on September 21, 2010 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Starting Pitching: D-

Relief Pitching: C-

Infield/Catcher: C-

Outfield: B-

Coaching: D

Forecast: It’s a shame that the Pirates have baseball’s worst rotation and a terrible defense, because their line-up isn’t half bad.

Prediction: 67-95, 6th

St. Louis Cardinals

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 24: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a single in the 9th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Starting Pitching: B+

Relief Pitching: C+

Infield/Catcher: C+

Outfield: B-

Coaching: A- 

Forecast: In this years central, three great starters is more of the norm than an advantage, and St. Louis’ offense looks thinner than in years past. But with a strong heart of the order, they’ll be in it until the end.

Prediction: 86-76, 3rd

All NL Central Team

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates hitting a double in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on October 8, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/G

Starters: Adam Wainwright, Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, Chris Carpenter, Ryan Dempster

Bullpen: Carlos Marmol, Kyle McClellan, Takashi Saito, Sean Marshall, Aroldis Chapman

Infield/Catcher: Albert Pujols, Brandon Phillips, Yuniesky Betancourt, Scott Rolen, Geovany Soto

Outfield: Ryan Braun, Matt Holliday, Andrew McCutchen

Manager: Tony LaRussa

Atlanta Braves

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 10: Starting pitcher Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during Game Three of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs against the San Francisco Giants on October 10, 2010 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/G

Starting Pitching: C+

Relief Pitching: B-

Infield/Catcher: B-

Outfield: C

Coaching: C

Forecast: The Bobby Cox-less Braves will not get more out of less like they are so accustomed to, and as a result will probably not be good enough to make the playoffs. 

Prediction: 81-81, 2nd

Florida Marlins

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: National League All-Star Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins throws a ptich during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: C

Relief Pitching: C-

Infield/Catcher: C+

Outfield: B-

Coaching: B- 

Forecast: A very average team across the board. Although the division may not be great, there is not enough talent on this roster to compete for a playoff spot.

Prediction: 74-88, 4th

New York Mets

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 01: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets points to second base after a double play ball by the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 1, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: C+

Relief Pitching: C+

Infield/Catcher: B

Outfield: C

Coaching: D

Forecast: The Mets seem to have finally given up, not pulling in any big-name free agents this offseason. Or maybe baseball players have just gotten smarter about where they sign.

Prediction: 76-86, 3rd

Philadelphia Phillies

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Roy Oswalt #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies is met on the mound by Placido Polanco #27, Carlos Ruiz #51 Ryan Howard #6 and Jimmy Rollins #11 against the San Francisco Giants in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs

Starting Pitching: A+

Relief Pitching: C-

Infield/Catcher: A+

Outfield: B-

Coaching: A-

Forecast: The Phillies dominated the league last year, and have added Cliff Lee to the mix. Calling teams champions on paper is overrated, but barring injuries, anyone knocking these guys off in 2011 is going to either be lucky or the Boston Red Sox.

Prediction: 103-59, 1st

Washington Nationals

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 15: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Starting Pitching: D

Relief Pitching: D+

Infield/Catcher: C

Outfield: C

Coaching: C

Forecast: Jayson Werth must be sick of playing seven month seasons. This is the worst team in an awful division.

Prediction: 63-99, 5th

All NL East Team

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (

Starters: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Josh Johnson, Tim Hudson, Johan Santana

Bullpen: Brad LidgeJohnny Venters, Craig Kimbrel, Clay Hensley. Sean Burnett

Infield/Catcher: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Brian McCann

Outfield: Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Martin Prado

Manager: Charlie Manuel