ROUNDOFFS: HGH FREE BASEBALL PREVIEW

• Okay, can everyone stop asking who this year's Rays will be, as if what they did last year, is common occurrence? No perennial last place teams will make the World Series this year. But the team with the best shot is probably the Royals, who could make the playoffs. Their division is probably the most wide open, and they have mad key, albeit unsexy, improvements. But, having said that, I think a lot of people are calling this and ready to jump on the Royal bandwagon, which usually means it won't happen.
• As for the Rays, they were not a fluke!
• And this year's Rays can't be last year's Rays, its scientifically impossible.
• For what the Yankees spent in the off-season, you'd think they'd have less holes. That outfield is intimidating though with Brett Gardner, Xavier Nady and Johnny Damon. Look out!
• Though, Giambi did leave a big thong to fill.
• Kinda wish Phil Coke and Rocky Cherry pitched out of the same bullpen, for nice 1-2 punch of Cherry-Coke.
• I don't buy into David Price. There, I said it! To be quite honest it looked he was given a large strike zone in the playoffs, which won't continue.
• Here are some names you should look out for this season: Scott Lewis and Josh “Don't call me Richard” Geer.
• I love Jon Lester and his story, but look for him to hit the DL at least once this year.
• I mean, why did Terry Francona all of sudden turn into Dusty Baker? He just let Lester pitch and pitch.
• I don't know what the Giants financials look like, but I think Manny would've been a good investment for them. Not that Bengie Molina and Fred Lewis aren't a formidable 3-4 or anything.
• Where have you gone Hideki Irabu?
• Another team on the rise? How about the Reds? They could very well win their division. If Aaron Harang returns to form, Bronson Arroyo has a solid year, Edison Volquez builds on last year, Johnny Cueto lives up to the hype, and the Cubs flop, which let's face it could happen. They are after all, the Cubs.
• I don't find Ryan Braun all that attractive. Now Tim Lincecum on the other hand.....
• Terry Francona is overrated.
• You heard it here first, Russel Branyan will quite possibly have a career year!
• I haven't jumped on the Jacoby Ellsbury bandwagon just yet.
• As for Pedro Alvarez, well that's a whole 'nother story for a whole 'nother time.
• The Orioles could score quite a few runs this year. Only problem is, they don't have any way of preventing other teams from doing the same.
• Calling Kerry Wood a step up from Joe Borowski is like saying Ford is a step up from Chevy.
• For you fantasy baseball folks in deep leagues, pick up Mike Fontenot or Jed Lowrie if you want to win. Don't expect Chase Utley-like numbers, but don't expect Rickie Weaks numbers either. Fontenot can rake, and hit, plus he's in a potent lineup. Lowrie's not gonna hit 3 hunny, but he should get at least 75-80 RBIs, which is money for a late round SS in deep mixed or AL-only leagues.
• Looking for relief, watch out for Steven Shell. He will be the Nats closer, by season's end.
• Before you moan and groan at another celebrity trying his hand at baseball, that's Eric Stults on the Dodgers roster, not Mask (not to be confused with The Mask) star Eric Stoltz.
• The Marlins won't make the playoffs, but should be very, very pesky. I think this Hanley Ramirez fella, might be pretty good. Plus they may have the best starting rotation in the bigs. Sorry Texas.
• Stat you may not know: Gil Meche was in the top 5 in strikeouts last year, after the All-Star Break.
• Not really sure why everyone was so shocked that USA lost in the WBC? I mean, the Far East has been producing better quality products for quite some time. I didn't see any of the games as my American made VCR broke while recording.
• Now, of course when decent players retire, we inevitably get barraged with the old Hall of Fame debate. And most cases can be argued either way, but I feel that while stats are important, they shouldn't be the only factor. So I'm gonna say it, “Put him in! Corey Koskie deserves it!”
• This year's division winners will be: Red Sox, Twins (they're pitching is as solid as it gets), Angels (best in the AL West doesn't necessarily mean much), Phillies (um, they added Raul Ibanez, those lucky ducks), Reds (had to shake things up somewhere) and the Diamondbacks (they can pitch past the Dodgers).
• Wild Cards: Rays and Cubs
• MVPs: Ryan Braun and Carlos Quentin
• ROYs: Matt Wieters (call it a sleeper pick) and Jason Motte
• Cy Youngs: Josh Beckett and Johan Santana
• Comeback Players of the Year: Khalil Greene and Carl Pavano (all he's got do is hit like .245 and the award is his).
• This year's Ryan Ludwick: Russell Branyan
• K-Rod will not even reach 50 saves.
  
• This year's Cliff Lee: Javier Vasquez
• Batting Champs: Jimmy Rollins and Kevin Youkilis (Howie Kendrick if he stays healthy)
• Home Run Champs: Carlos Quentin and Ryan Howard
  
• This year's David Price: Daniel Bard?
• Its Sox over the Cubs in 6.