MLB Playoffs 2011: Which Franchise Is Under the Greatest Pressure to Win?

Any legitimate fan of a 2011 MLB playoff team will be disappointed if his/her club doesn't win the World Series.

However, the urgency to do so this season varies among the eight franchises.

The potential loss of key contributors to free agency this winter needs to be considered. The general age of these teams—some are nearing the close of their proverbial "window" of contention—is also imperative.

Simply put, the stakes are higher for organizations that expect to be weaker next season.

From least to most desperate, this is how they rank.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks

At this time a year ago, Arizona was in awful shape.

The Diamondbacks had lost 97 games and finished in last place in the NL West division. In the process, their offense had set a new Major League record for strikeouts in a season, and their bullpen was arguably the worst ever assembled.

Their run to the postseason in 2011 was shocking, even more improbable when noting that they leisurely "jogged" through the final week, with a playoff berth already clinched.

Ian Kennedy, J.J. Putz and Justin Upton are just a few of their players who had excellent seasons. All three will return in 2012, as will many of Arizona's most vital pieces.

Expect the front office to bring back super utility man Willie Bloomquist, and allow veterans Xavier Nady and Lyle Overbay to leave.

With a core of talented 20-somethings, the future is bright in the desert.

7. Detroit Tigers

Tigers fans should likewise be eager for next spring.

Aging assets Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez are slow, oft-injured, earning eight-figure salaries in 2011 and finally coming off the books. If either are re-signed, it will be for much smaller totals.

Star sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez are locked up for the long term, as is the league's top pitcher, Justin Verlander.

Detroit's other starting pitchers will be incredibly affordable in arbitration hearings. Moreover, several young starting position players are still under team control.

After a "perfect" campaign—49-for-49 in save opportunities—closer Jose Valverde will be brought back by the club.

Detroit may even have cash left over to pursue a highly-touted free agent.

6. Texas Rangers

The elephant in the room for Texas is the impending free agency of their ace, C.J. Wilson.

He was tremendous in the regular season, especially in August and September.

Wilson addressed his control problems from the prior season, and consequently lowered his walk total, struck out more batters and pitched deeper into ball games.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old has barely 700 Major League innings on his arm. To put that in perspective, the Yankees' C.C. Sabathia is of the same age, and has pitched more than 2,400 innings.

For these reasons, Wilson will be the most coveted pitcher on the market.

Still, Texas will retain most of its dynamic offense, although several players will receive raises through arbitration.

Alexi Ogando will become a season-long starter (he has been relegated to the bullpen this October), and the bullpen should stay a strength of this team. 

The Rangers' 2010 American League pennant generated plenty of buzz. As a result, attendance shot up this season, and perhaps more funds will be made available for payroll.

Texas will at least make an offer to Wilson. If he declines, they might pursue Edwin Jackson, Chien-Ming Wang or another experienced pitcher.

5. New York Yankees

The Yankees will be getting younger in 2012.

Surprise contributors Bartolo Colon (38) and Freddy Garcia (35) are long shots to return. Instead, the Yankees will be aiming to steal C.J. Wilson from Texas or ink a free agent in the second tier (Jackson, Wang, Hiroki Kuroda).

That spending money will result from Jorge Posada's situation. The high-priced designated hitter (40) will either retire or have to accept a dramatic pay cut.

Assuming the former, rookie Jesus Montero (21) will be his replacement.

Barring unexpected injury or ineffectiveness, young hurlers Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes will start throughout the season.

Nonetheless, the Yankees are stuck with the bad contracts of A.J. Burnett and Alex Rodriguez. Each will be coming off poor seasons at a juncture in their careers where players typically deteriorate.

Future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera fared well in 2011, but can't sustain their level of play forever.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia and the following three franchises genuinely feel pressure to win now.

The Phillies were as hyped as anybody this spring. They met their lofty expectations, too (their regular season goals, that is).

They led the Majors in wins, and their dream rotation—Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt—is healthy when they need it to be. Anything short of a championship would be dubbed a "phailure."

Fortunately, Philadelphia has the means to retain their four aces for at least another season.

However, indications are that they will have to choose between relievers Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson.

On another note, six of their eight projected starting position players will be in their 30s (and that's excluding Raul Ibanez, who likely won't be re-signed). Nearly all of them spent time on the disabled list in 2011.

There aren't many viable reinforcements in the Phillies' farm system.  

3. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay certainly doesn't have a massive fan base of die-hards like New York or Philadelphia. The question is: do they want to?

Despite earning a playoff berth for the third time in four seasons, the Rays' attendance underwhelmed in 2011 (29th in MLB). 

Any supporters they had were visibly upset that Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Rafael Soriano left via free agency prior to this season. The exodus was particularly painful because the front office made no attempt to keep them.

The organization lucked out with valuable production from rookies Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings.

Sound familiar? It should. That was exactly how Tampa Bay reached the World Series in 2008! Remember Evan Longoria and David Price?

In summary, the Rays won the AL pennant three years ago, but that wasn't enough.

Only a World Series title can win over Central Floridians, bring the people out to Tropicana Field and give this team some real spending power.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis faithful must have been rather mopey when this season began.

Their stud starter Adam Wainwright had recently undergone Tommy John surgery, and the organization had failed to work out a contract extension with superstar Albert Pujols.

Remarkably, without Wainwright's services and amid Pujols' least outstanding campaign, the Cardinals have a shot to win it all. And they need to.

Prince Albert has announced his intentions to become a free agent this November and consider other offers.

As a matter of fact, he is the most consistent player in Major League Baseball (check the stats here, here or here). On top of that, I argue that he is the game's most dominant presence.

The Cardinals have already made hefty commitments to Lance Berkman, Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Matt Holliday, Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright for the 2012 season.

Pujols refused to take a hometown discount during March negotiations. Unless he has a change of heart (and championships will do that, you know), I don't see how this team can afford him..

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee went all-in to make the playoffs this year.

The Brewers held on to Prince Fielder with one season remaining on his deal, rather than trading him for top prospects. Fielder will become a free agent this winter.

Over the offseason, they acquired starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum from the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively. Marcum's contract is about to expire.

They dealt for reliever Francisco Rodriguez during the summer to set up for their elite closer, John Axford. Rodriguez will be made available to all other teams after the season.

Although a few talented individuals—mainly Ryan Braun—will remain in Milwaukee beyond these playoffs, this franchise will presumably be weaker going forward.

No other team is under as much pressure to win in 2011.