There is usually a blog called Random MMA Thoughts in this space, but as I've said before, I'm in the process of changing around my blogging schedule and don't really know how I'm going to do it as of yet. For now, I'll do my NL predictions today, and then I'll give you some MMA news and notes in a shorter blog tomorrow (there will also be the results from tonight's WEC 33 event). There's some news on Fedor, Phil Baroni and the EliteXC card on CBS, and even Butterbean. But that's tomorrow, today is prediction time.

If you are interested:

AL Predictions

NL

East

1. NY Mets - They are still the deepest team in the NL, with two of the best young players in the league (Jose Reyes and David Wright), and they just got better with the addition of former Cy Young winner Johan Santana. They'll still need guys like Orlando Hernandez and Carlos Delgado to contribute, and their outfield will be pretty bare until Moises Alou returns. Still, they are the best team in the NL.

2. Philadelphia* - I almost picked them over the Mets, just because they have Rollins, Utley, and Howard, but the pitching staff has some question marks and I'm not sure if the average veteran talent that they signed (Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, So Taguchi), will do more good or bad.

3. Atlanta - They are young and almost seem to be rebuilding, but they still have veterans like Smoltz and Chipper Jones that could carry this team to surprise some people.

4. Washington - I was tempted to pick them below the Marlins, but they have much more than the boys from Florida and might just surprise us with a decent mix of talent, youth, and veterans.

5. Florida - Getting rid of Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera showed us that they are not serious at all about contending, and this could be one of the worst teams in baseball.


Central

1. Chicago Cubs - I'll be the first to admit that I don't know who is going to win this division. They seem to have the best team on paper,with guys like Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Zambrano, but that is just about every year. Let's just say that the only teams that can't win in the Central are the Pirates and the Astros.

2. Cincinnati - They'll definitely compete this year, but their best shot may be to win the Central, with teams like Colorado, Philadelphia, Arizona all looking like contenders for the Wild Card. The rookie/veteran mix is just as good as any team in the majors, and guys like Aaron Harang, Ken Griffey Jr, Adam Dunn, and Edwin Encarnacion will carry the Reds. If young guys like Joey Votto, Jeff Keppinger, and Norris Hopper step up, then this will be a team to watch out for.

3. Milwaukee - This is the hot team to pick yet again, but I'm not so sure. The pitching is questionable, especially if they are counting on Eric Gagne to contribute out of the bullpen. The infield also doesn't look as good, now that Bill Hall is playing 3B and Ryan Braun is moving to the outfield. The rest of the team is average at best.

4. St. Louis - What happened to this team? Weren't they the World Series champions just two years ago? Now, they are counting on Troy Glaus at 3B and Albert Pujols to carry the whole offense. Rick Ankiel is their only legitimate outfielder, and I'm not sure where their pitching is going to come from.

5. Houston - Let's just say that Miguel Tejada will have to do a lot. This is a team to watch out for in 2009 if they can add some more pitching and a few young guys.

6. Pittsburgh - Man, this team looks like they can surprise on paper, but none of the guys on their roster have ever reached the potential that has been set for them. Therefore, their names are bigger than their games. Another dark season in Pittsburgh.

West

1. Arizona - Man, I'm in love with this team. Adding Danny Haren to give them a great 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation with Brandon Webb was a great move (remember Johnson-Schilling?), and this young team really showed that they can come of age last October. The biggest questions are Connor Jackson at 1B, Mark Reynolds at 3B, and if uber-prospect Justin Upton can contribute in the outfield.

2. LA Dodgers - Obviously, their best move was signing manager Joe Torre. He's the perfect manager for the Dodgers, and the laid back city of LA fits him well. The only thing that I'm questioning is that much of the lineup isn't even set yet. That could be good or bad. Again, the young guys must contribute.

3. Colorado - I'm not sure if they can repeat what they did last year after making it to the World Series. There are a lot of questions on this team.

4. San Diego - They would probably win the Central, but they'll be relegated to fourth in the West, as they are a young, rebuilding team that will be better next year.

5. San Francisco - Come on. Does anybody expect them to be more than worst in this division?

Playoffs

NY Mets over Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia over Arizona

Philadelphia over NY Mets

World Series

Detroit over Philadelphia

Awards

MVP - Jose Reyes (SS/NYM) - This is the second year in a row that I picked both Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes to win the MVP. I can't help it.

Cy Young - Brandon Webb (P/Ari) - I was deciding between Santana, Aaron Harang and Brandon Webb. I flipped a 3-sided coin, and this is what I got.

Rookie - Andy LaRoche (3B/LAD) - If he can get some AB's in LA, this guy will show the rest of the league what they have to look forward to in the next few years (average hitters, that is).

Manager - Dusty Baker (Cin) - If he gets the Reds to 80 wins, the award is his.